History of Worcester and its people

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER

X

AND ITS PEOPLE

( 7 ^ BY

CHARLES NUTT, A. B.

Former Editor and Publisher of The Worcester Spy;
Author of "The Puffer Genealogy"; "History of the
First Regiment of Heavy Artillery, Massachusetts Vol-
unteers"; " History of the Crompton cS: Knowles Loom
Works"; and various Biographical and Historical Works

ILLUSTRATED

VOLUME II.

r\\

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY

NEW YORK CITY

1919

THE NEW VOKK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

667200 A

ASTOR, LENOX AND

TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

R 1933 L

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

CHAPTER XXXIII

Threatened War With France— War of 1812— Mexican War— Orr Riot

When war with France was imminent in 1?98, and the President was
authorized to raise troops for the emergency, a company of sixty men
under Capt. Thomas Chandler, called the Worcester Volunteer Cadet
Infantry, was formed. A flag was made by the ladies of the city and
presented with much ceremony to the company. The company, with
the Worcester artillery company, joined the forces known later as the
"Oxford Army." Other Worcester men enlisted in the 14th Regiment
under Lt. Col. Rice and went into camp. Except for the encounters on
the sea, the war was entirely on paper, and the soldiers were not in actual
service.

War of 1812. — A convention of delegates from forty-one towns was
held here, Aug. 12 and 13, 1812, to protest against the continuance of
the war with Great Britain. Worcester was represented by Hon. Ben-
jamin Heywood, Hon. Francis Blake and Elijah Burbank. Mr. Hey-
wood presided. A committee was appointed to "consider and report
what measures the Convention ought to adopt, in the present perilous
situation of our Country, to mitigate the calamities of the present War
with Great Britain, to avert the further evils- with which we are threat-
ened, to accomplish a speedy and honorable peace and to arrest the
course of that disastrous policy which, if persisted in, cannot fail to ter-
minate in the destruction of the rights and liberties of the people."

The committee consisted of Andrew Peters, Hon. Francis Blake,
Rev. John Crane, Hon. Solomon Strong, Aaron Tufts, Benjamin Adams,
Gen. James Humphrey, Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Nathaniel Chandler,
John W. Stiles and Col. Seth Benister. The committee reported on the
13th, dealing at great length with the causes of the war and its continu-
ance. The report as adopted urged the shortening of the present most
impolitic and destructive war, exhorting the friends of peace for that
purpose to withdraw from the government all voluntary aid, and to ren-
der no other assistance than is required of them by the laws and the
Constitution. "We do not, like some men, now in high authority, advise
our constituents to refuse payment of them (double or direct taxes) and
to rise in opposition to the authority by which they are imposed. But
if our rulers, afraid to hazard their popularity by the imposition of taxes,
request of the citizens to enable them to prosecute this unrighteous war
by loaning money to replenishing the Treasury, we entreat them, as
they value the Peace and welfare of their Country, to remember that we
have as yet no French emperor among us to force a loan at the point of
W.-I-37.

578

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

the bayonet and to refuse the smallest contribution for this unwarranta-
ble purpose." The resolution represented the sentiments of the majority
of the people of the town and State.

There passed through this town Aug. 20, 1812, a detachment of 400
recruits from Forts Independence and Warren, Boston, on their way to
join the army at Albany. It was composed of infantry and thirty pieces
of artillery, with caissons, traveling forges, tent equipage and baggage
wagons, the whole drawn by 190 horses. Just after morning service
they encamped on the Common near the Old South Church.

Early in the w^ar, recruiting officers were stationed here, and some
of the citizens entered the regular army and navy. The records at
Washington are not open to inspection and, if they were, it would be
practically impossible to make a list of the Worcester men enlisting here
or elsewhere in this war. The town offered a bounty of ten dollars to
each man enlisting, voted Nov. 9, 1812.

The Worcester jail became historic by quartering several paroled
British officers in the summer of 1813. Some American prisoners who
were born on British soil but had come to this country and had been nat-
uralized before the war, were accused of treason and sent to England for
trial. To protect them, the American government ordered an equal
number of British prisoners into confinement to endure the same fate
that should befall the Americans in England. England placed two
American officers in prison for every British soldier confined here, to suf-
fer death if the British were executed. Ten of the British wlio resided
here were committed to the Worcester jail. They were: Lt. Col.
William Grant, of the Beauharnais militia; Maj. Charles Villette, Capt.
Francis Decenta. Lt. David Duvall, Lt. Albert Manuel, of the Water-
ville regiment; Lt. William A. Steel, adjutant; Lt. Joseph I*", (ireen.
commissary, 89th Regt. ; Lt. Arthur Carter, of the Royal Artillery ; Lt.
Charles Morris, of the Halifax Volunteers. Nine of these men escaped
January 12, overpowering the attendant who had entered the room in
which they lived, about ten o'clock at night, but he was tied so liastily
that he freed himself in a quarter of an hour, and gave the alarm. Bells
were rung, cannon fired, and the whole town turned out to search for the
refugees. Houses were searched without warrants. At two o'clock in
the morning, one of the men was captured at Holden; four more in the
evening at Barre. The other four eluded their ])ursuers and rin:d]y
reached Quebec. Afterward the jirisoners were removed from the jail
and soon released again on parole, the controversy of the naturalized
prisoners l)eing at an encl, the sense of justice in England lacing too
strong to permit their conviction of treason and ])unishment by (lerit]i.

In the summer of 1814. two Worcester com])anies served in the forts
defending Boston. Their rosters are given at the end of this ciinpter
The Worcester Light Infantry under Capt. Lincoln and the Worcester
Artillery under Capt. Samuel Graves were called out by Gov. Strong.

AND ITS PEOPLE 579

Sept. 6, 1814, marched on Sunday, Sept. 14, and were stationed at South
Boston, where they served to the end of October. On the Sunday fol-
lowing their return, both companies attended divine service here in
uniform.

During the war the town voted to procure camp equipage for the
militia; to provide for the famiHes of soldiers when assistance was
needed ; and to furnish arms and equipments to soldiers who lacked the
means to buy them for themselves. The ratification of the treaty of peace
was celebrated here with much festivity and rejoicing. [Ref. : See
town records ; Lincoln's Hist., p. 135. State records. |

Roster of Capt. J. W. Lincoln's company in Lieut. Col. Samuel
Towne's regt. ; Sept. 11 to Oct. 30, 1814; raised at Worcester and vicin-
ity. Capt. John W. Lincoln, Lt. Sewall Hamilton, Ensign John Coo-
lidge, Sergt. Levi Wellington, Sergt. Luther Johnson, Sergt. Edward D.
Bangs, Sergt. Samuel Green, Corp. Jeremiah Healy, Corp. Lincoln Fen-
ring, Corp. Charles Bridge, Corp. James Thompson, Musician Jason
Mann, Musician Oliver Cajer, Musician Rufus Paine, William T. Alex-
ander, Phinehas Ball, Abijah Butler, Dexter Carle, Aaron Curtis, Joseph
Deland, Joseph Drury, Jason Duncan, Joseph Fenno, Asa Flagg, Eleazer
Fletcher, Gardner Johnson, Arnold Mann, Wales Paine, Jonah Perry,
Luke Perry, Peter Rice, Timothy R. Rice, Austin R. Putnam, Levi Smith,
Samuel Stowell, William Tracy, Isaac Tucker, Walter Tufts, Charles
W. Warren, Daniel Webb, William D. Wheeler, Benjamin White, Na-
hum Wilder, Archibald Witt.

Roster of Capt. Samuel Graves's co. of artillery, Lt. Col. W. Ed-
wards's regt.; Sept. 8 to Nov. 5, 1814; raised at Worcester; service at
Boston. Capt. Samuel Graves; Lt. Simon Hastings, Lt. Joshua Hale;
Sergt. Abel Flagg, Sergt. William Eaton ; Sergt. Andrew Slater, Sergt.
Joshua Gates, Corp. Ebenezer Hastings, Corp. Moses Clements, Corp.
Joel Gleason, Corp. Charles Putnam; Musician Sew-all Goodridge, Mu-
sician Benjamin Pierce; Musician Caleb P. Stock, Musician Edward
Curtis.

Mexican War. — Worcester, in common with the rest of New Eng-
land, was opposed to the war with Mexico, and took no part in it, except
for the service of a few men. The Light Infantry offered its services, but
was not needed.

Captain George Lincoln, son of Governor Levi, was in the army and
met his death in action at the battle of Buena Vista. He was shot in the
back of the head "when facing a regiment, riding in front, and encourag-
ing them on at a critical moment when they were faltering under a
severe fire. His situation was a most exposed one, a situation which it
would have been mere foolhardiness to take except under the circum-
stances of the battle, where our troops were chiefly volunteers and all
depended on the officers. Lincoln was acting as adjutant-general, and
had no command of the regiment, but seeing them falter, he rode in

58o HISTORY OF WORCESTER

front and cheered them on by example as well as by word." (Memorial
by E. Cutler).

A search of the records at the State House revealed Imt two soldiers
in this war, residents of this town, viz : George Gleason, teamster, 28 y.
of Worcester, enlisted in Co. D, 1st Regt. Mass. Infantry. Edward T.
Dudley, clerk, 19 y., enlisted at Boston in Co. K, of the same regt., May
28, 1847; deserted.

The Orr Riot. — It became necessary to read the riot act and call
out the militia in 1854 to disperse a mob. A fanatic named John S. Orr,
calling himself the "Angel Gabriel," appeared on the streets blowing his
brass trumpet, haranguing the crowds in incoherent speeches, predicting
dire calamities. As he passed along the sidewalks he decorated them
with the word "Gabriel" in big chalk letters. He was arrested for dis-
turbing the peace, but was allowed to depart on promising to stay away.
In a week, however, he had returned and resumed his tooting and talk-
ing; was arrested again. Somehow he had won the sympathy or sup-
port of a rough crowd that gathered about the station house, demanding
his release. The Mayor, Hon. J. S. C. Knowlton, addressed the mob,
asking it to disperse, but his words were without effect. The mob stoned
the station house and broke windows. The mayor then read the riot
act; the sheriff also tried to bring the crowd to reason, and he was
injured by paving stone thrown by a rioter. Capt. Ward was ordered
to turn out with the City Guards, and the loaded muskets of the militia
had an immediate effect on the mob. The Guards stayed that night in
the armory. The mob made no further attempt, and the Guards fired
their loaded muskets at a target on the old Jo Bill road. What became
of "the Angel" himself is of no importance. The remarkable fact about
the riot was, how it could have happened in a city like Worcester.

CHAPTER XXXIV
The Civil War

No sooner had the roar of the assaulting guns at Fort Sumter died
away, than the War for the Union began. That was on Friday, April
12, 1861. The news was received on Sunday, and on Monday evening
the militia companies of this city met in their armories and prepared
to go to the front, filling their ranks and electing officers.

The City Hall was crowded at a public meeting on Tuesday and
patriotic speeches by Hon. Rejoice Newton, Hon. Isaac Davis, Hon. J.
S. C. Knowlton, Col. Putnam W. Taft, M. J. McCarrerty, Rev. Dr.
Hill, Hon. A. H. Bullock and Maj. Charles Devens. Dr. Merrick
Bemis, D. Waldo Lincoln, Col. E. B. Stoddard, Rev. T. W. Higginson
stirred the emotions of the people and fixed their determination to work
and fight for the preservation of the Union.

WAR HAS BEGPK YY

CIVIL WAR!

THE WORST OF ALL WARS.

OUR FLAG HAS BEEN FIRED UPON AND OUR TORTS CAPTURED.

ODR Umm CAPITAL

THBEATENED IITH WmiU

The people of Massachusetts are iusoltod with the threat that they shall

smell the pondrr uod Terl Ibr sleri »f Ibe Nrrr«Mlonl»l«; that

Ihe flag of Rebellion thaU te hoUled orer the Cradle of Vtberl})!

PATRXO^T

I! Tn &nMf;i

Enrol and I>rlll Your Men.

Be True to the Spirit and Blood of yoar Aormlors I

RESPOND WITH PROMPTNESS to THE CALL OF YODK COUNTBY

REDUCED COPY OF HANDBILL.

The Light Infantry. — The Light Infantry was the first company to
receive orders to proceed to Washington. On Wednesday, the follow-
ing morning the 17th, after a short parade, the company was addressed
by Col. W. S. Lincoln; Hon. Ichabod Washburn, who presented each
soldier with a pocket Bible ; and Dr. Rufus Woodward, who promised

582 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

to give professional care to the families of absent soldiers free of charge.
At the railroad station a great gathering cheered the departing troops.
Capt. Harrison W. Pratt was in command. In the evening the boys left
Boston with the Sixth Mass. Regt., to which they were assigned, and
again they were given a rousing reception when they reached this city.
In passing through Baltimore, the Worcester men were in the first
division, which was not attacked. Throughout the trip to the capital
the troops were given one continuous ovation by the people of the towns
and cities through which- their train passed. They were quartered in
the Senate chamber, April 20, and slept in their blankets on the floor.
The regiment was reviewed by President Lincoln and Gen. Scott. From
the first, Clara Barton and Mrs. B. B. Vassall, of this city, were active
in supplying the needs of the soldiers.

Worcester claims part of the credit given to the Sixth Regiment for
his prompt response in the hour of greatest need, saving the capital from
capture by the rebels. Early in May the company went with the com-
mand into Maryland and encamped at Elk Ridge. On June 26 they went
to Baltimore, returning July 2 to the Relay Camp. The regiment
had enlisted for three months, the time expiring July 21, but the news
of the disaster at Bull Run came the next day, and the regiment was
ordered to be in readiness for action. Gen. Banks made an address to
the regiment July 23, appealing for its service to defend the capital
again. The regiment voted to stay in the service as long as needed, but
on the 26th, preparations began for the return home ; the start was made
on the 29th, and the Worcester company reached this city August 1, at
ten a. m., and after a hearty welcome continued with the regiment to
Boston, being mustered out on the Common next day. The company
went to Lowell, however, before coming home, and received a wonderful
reception in that city. Returning in a special train, they arrived here
at midnight. On Aug. 2 the company was entertained in Horticultural
Hall, Capt. D. Waldo Lincoln presiding. In replying to Mr. Lincoln's
address, Capt. Pratt said : "We have had 101 men in our ranks ; four
have been sent home sick (now well, however) ; and 97 returned in the
ranks to-day. But four have received punishment — if you are not as
proud of them as I am, it is because you know them less." Mayor
Davis and LL Parker also spoke. On the Common, Governor Lincoln
and the mayor reviewed the company.

Third Battalion of Rifles. — The Third Battalion was ready as soon
as the Light Infantry, but it was held for the Fifth Regiment. It was
composed of the Worcester City Guards, the Emmet Guards and the
Holden Rifles, all well organized, drilled and equipped, Major Charles
Devens commanding. On April 18 the battalion marched to Mechanics
Hall, where Hon. Isaac Davis and Rev. Dr. Hill were the speakers. Ma-
jor Devens also spoke of the duties of the hour.

An elegant sword and belt was presented to Adjutant John M.

AND ITS PEOPLE 5^3

Goodhue at the armory of the City Guards. Hon. George F. Hoar mak-
ing the speech of presentation, in behalf of Hon. Timothy W. Welling-
ton, saying: "A band of traitors and conspirators whose fields and plan-
tations, as has been well said, our fathers scoured and cleared from a
foreign invader in the Revolution, have dared to undertake to subvert
our government, to take possession of our capital, and destroy our lib-
erties. We have not provoked this contest. Our patience has been
met with sgorn. We have been smitten on one cheek. We have turned
to show the other, and have been smitten on that too. We have held
forth the olive branch; it has been converted into a rod. The charity
which suffereth long, which hopeth, beareth, believeth and endureth all
things, has at last been exhausted; and now nothing remains but the
sword— and never was it drawn in a cause more righteous."

Capt. McConville returned thanks for a gift of nearly $1,000 to the
Emmet Guards. This company was addressed in the evening by Fathers
Boyce and O'Reilly.

The battalion left the city about midnight, Saturday, April 20,
cheered by thousands of friends, less than a week after the news of the
firing on Fort Sumter reached the city. In New York it was posted in
the armory of the Seventh Regiment where it was visited by Senator
Sumner and other distinguished men, embarking on Sunday morning on
the steamship Ariel. Major Devens and Capt. Sprague were extremely
popular; both were competent officers and courtly gentlemen, kindly,
considerate and thoughtful.

The Ariel proceeded to Annapolis, arriving April 24, and the Wor-
cester men were quartered in the Naval School. On May 2 the battalion
started for Fort McHenry, arriving at six the following morning. The
battalion was on duty May 14 guarding arms that had been seized. The
arrest of William Starr for giving his opinion of Marshal Kane, brought
forth, after Capt. Sprague had secured his release, an address from the
captain that brought tears to the eyes of his men. A soldier wrote:
"We like him as a child does his parents, and we shall forever follow
where he leads." The battalion shared in the work of liberating Mary-
land. A squad of 18 men was sent to Ft. Carroll. Capt. Sprague and a
detachment made an examination of the bridges between Baltimore
and Havre de Grace. On June 26 the detested Marshal Kane and the
Baltimore police commissioners were brought to the fort.

Adj. John M. Goodhue left to take commission in the regular army;
Lt. Harkness became quartermaster; Lt. McCafferty w^as made acting
adjutant; and on July 3, Maj. Devens w^ent to Washington, leaving
Capt. Sprague in command of the battalion. Soon afterward Major
Devens left to become colonel of the Fifteenth Mass. From time to time
detachments made excursions. Capt. McConville and Lt. Pickett with
40 men were sent on a cruise in a steamer Chester after two suspected
craft that turned out to be fishing vessels. Similar cruises w^ere made

584 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

on the 12th, 16th and ITth of July. One of these detachments took pos-
session of a deserted schooner at the mouth of Chester river and
brought it to Ft. McHenry.

Twenty of the battalion were sent home July 24, their term of
enlistment having expired on the 19th. Gen. Dix addressed the com-
mand on the 26th, and asked the soldiers to remain in the service for a
time on account of the defeat at Bull Run. Every man in the City
Guards and Emmet Guards voted to stay. But on July 29 thp companies
were ordered home, reaching New York, August 1 and taking the steamer
City of Boston that afternoon for New London. The welcome of Wor-
cester to the returned soldiers next day was very hearty and pleasing.
There was feasting, a parade, music and cheering. Mayor Davis spoke a
warm welcome on the Common, and Capt. Sprague replied feelingly,
reading a letter from Col. Devens in which he expressed his thanks to the
officers and men of the battalion. "You were of those," he wrote, "who
saved the capital of the nation from plunder at the opening of this con-
flict. I can say to you most truly that you have been to me all that an
officer could ask of soldiers."

Muster-out was held next day. Forty of the City Guards imme-
diately re-enlisted ; nineteen became w^arrant officers ; two musicians,
and others re-enlisted later. Two of the battalion had died of typhoid.
The Spy said at the time :

It does not lessen either the bravery of our men, or the greatness of the service
they rendered, that they did not participate in any regular battle. They v^on the. ex-
pected battle by their promptness and energy, without fighting it. Washington was
saved, the secession rising in Maryland was prevented, the Baltimore conspirators were
baffled, a new route to Washington was opened and held open, and the war of treason
was not allowed to come across the Potomac. The troops that secured such results, de-
serve the honor and thanks of the whole country, and foremost among them were our
Sixth and Eighth Regiments, and the Worcester Rifle Battalion. No better troops than
these went to the rescue of the government, none have served with a better spirit or
to a better purpose, and let them have the credit which is their due.

The Fifteenth Regiment. — The Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry was
raised largely in this city. Major Devens came from the Sixth Regt.
to command it; and the other officers were Lt. Col. George H. Ward of
this city, and Maj. John W. Kimball of Fitchburg. It encamped on the
Brooks farm at South Worcester, June 28, 1861. The camp was named
for Gen. Scott. The men were mustered into service by Gov. Andrew
and Capt. Marshall of the regular army. The battle of Bull Run short-
ened the period of preparation and drill. A flag was presented to the
regiment by the ladies of the city Aug. 7, the address being made by
Hon. George F. Hoar in the City Hall, in the presence of the officers
and band. In his speech accepting the flag, Col. Devens said : "There
is indeed a remarkable coincidence, as you have so well said, in the name
of the regiment which I have the honor to command, being numbered

AND ITS PEOPLE 585

the same as that commanded during the Revokitionary War by Col.
Timothy Bigelow, over whose remains yonder proud monument was,
three months ago, erected with such inspiring ceremonies. It is indeed a
most fortunate omen. I trust that some of the spirit which animated our
ancestors has descended upon the present sons of Worcester county,
and that they will be able to render an equally good account of their
labors."

The next day the regiment, numbering 1,046 officers and privates,
left the city at 6 p. m. by the train for Norwich, amid vociferous cheers
of the people, reaching New York on Aug. 9 at 11 a. m., and Washing-
ton next day. On the 11th, quarters were occupied on Meridian Hill,
near the residence Kalorama, under the command of Gen. Rufus King.
Aug. 25 the regiment was sent into camp at Poolsville, Md., 35 miles
from Washington. The camp was named for Dwight Foster, then
attorney general of Massachuetts. The first duty was to guard the line
from Conrad's ferry to the lower end of Harrison's Island, a distance of
three miles. The Rebel pickets on the /other side of the river became
friendly after a few shots had been exchanged, talked with our pickets,
and surreptitiously exchanged various articles. The camp was visited
by Nathaniel Paine, who made a report of his trip in one of the city
papers, praising the drill and discipline, the band, and the condition
of the camp. Hon. John D. Baldwin, editor of the Spy, wrote, after a
visit, "that the signs of harmony and good discipline are abundant and
unmistakable. . . . Col. Devens deserves the warmest praise of
every friend of the regiment at home for his earnest and untiring care of
the men." He commended the system by which Col. Devens induced
many of the men to send money to their families.

Ball's Bluff. — The first baptism of blood was at Ball's Bluff, Oct.
21. Capt. Philbrick of Co. H and twenty men had crossed the river the
day before on a scouting expedition in the direction of Leesburg, and
had found what appeared to be only a small force of the enemy, where-
upon Col. Devens crossed with Cos. A, C, G, H and I, and pushed for-
ward with a small detachment to the camp found by Capt. Philbrick.
About sunrise the enemy's pickets were driven in, and the Rebels were
driven from their rifle pits. But after a short time the Union force
proved too small to hold the captured line and, when the rebel reserves
came up, the men of the Fifteenth with other troops that had accom-
panied them fell back. At eleven the enemy made an advance, and the
Fifteenth retreated to the position held by the reserves, about 1,200
troops were sent across the river and Gen. Baker took over the com-
mand from Col. Devens. At half past three the Rebels advanced, 4,000
strong, and had the advantage of superior position. After some three
hours of battle, the Union force was compelled to give way. Many
officers had been lost through Rebel sharpshooting. Gen. Baker was
heard to say: "If I had two more such regiments as the Mass. Fif-

586 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

teenth I would cut my way to Leesburg." Soon afterward he was killed,
and Col. Cogswell took command. An attempt was made about five
o'clock to cut the way to Edward's Ferry. When the movement failed
and Gen. Cogswell ordered a retreat, Col. Devens was opposed to the
movement and said: "Sir, I do not wish to retreat. Do you issue it as
an order?" "Yes, sir" was the reply. "I would like to have you repeat
it in the presence of my major, then." "I order you to retreat," was the
response.

The column retreated, nearly all in good order, though some com-
panies broke ranks and ran. The Fifteenth kept their ranks until their
colonel ordered them to save themselves as best they could. He was
determined to cross the river and not surrender. The scow in which
the troops had crossed was overcrowded and upset in midstream. Some
swam ashore ; others were carried away by the swift current and
drowned. Those who had remained on the Virginia shore, hard pressed
by the Rebels, took to the water and attempted to swim the river. Col.
Devens and some near him had the good fortune to seize a floating log
that aided them in crossing. Many were shot in the water; many were
drowned. Col. Ward was wounded in the leg and taken to Harrison's
Island, where he had his leg amputated that night. Lt. Everts Greene
of No. Brookfield, later editor of the Spy, did not retreat, remaining on
the edge of the bluff covering the retreat with a small detachment from
his company and the Tammany and California regiments. Lieut. Greene
w^as captured. (See biography). Col. Devens was struck by a bullet,
but not injured. Capt. W^atson of Co. E, who remaining on the bank
of the river, being unable to swim, escaped wounds and capture, and with
eight other men reached Edward's Ferry under cover of darkness.

Though the movement was disastrous, the regiment was highly praised
for its coolness, discipline and courage. Col. Devens said: "Every
man did his duty; there was no flinching, no disobedience, no cowardice,
and they fought to the very last with great cheerfulness." A private
wrote of the officers : "Without exception they stood up resolutely from
the first hour of the day to the last." Another wrote : "We cannot say
too much in praise of the cool courage and considerate movements of
Colonel Devens. He is in my opinion unsurpassed for cool bravery,
being in the thickest of the fight with his men, encouraging them with
hopes of success as long as a shadow of hope lasted." Gen. McClellan
said of this engagement : "Nothing had occurred in the war yet equal to
the heroic conduct of the Fifteenth Mass." He told Col. Devens he wanted
him to take part in the next battle.

A sketch of Lieut. Grout, who lost his life at Ball's Bluff, is given
elsewhere in this work.

Of 621 men w^ho went into battle, but 311 survived fit for duty. The
killed, wounded and missing numbered 310. For further details see the
roster of the regiment.

AND ITS PEOPLE 5^7

Recruits were needed to fill the gaps; aid for the wounded came
promptly from home. A meeting was held in the City Hall, Dec. 3,
and Rev. Mr. Scandlin, the regimental chaplain, spoke for an hour,
appealing for recruits to fill the ranks. Hon. Isaac Davis and Judge
Henry Chapin also spoke. Hon. Edward Everett spoke at a meeting in
Mechanics Hall, Dec. 12, and Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson of New York
at another meeting, Dec. 16.

The regiment remained at Poolsville until Feb. 36, 1863, and was
recruited to 903 men. Marching to Adamstown and taking the train to
Harper's Ferry, the regiment was quartered there until March 2, when,
excepting one company, it marched to Bolivar Heights and on March
7th to Charlestown; on the 10th to Berryville, where traces of the
enemy were discovered. On the 15th the regiment returned to Bolivar
Heights and remained a week, leaving Harper's Ferry on the 22d for
Washington, 'it was quartered near the capitol. Two days later it was
in Alexandria, and five days afterward sailed for Hampton, Va., where
it was in camp three days. On the -Ith the march up the Peninsula
began, the first halt being at Big Bethel, the second at "Camp Misery."
Afterward the progress was slow, as the enemy was strongly entrenched
and the soldiers had to build roads as they advanced. On the 11th a
permanent camp, named for Gen. Scott, was established within a mile
of the enemy's works. Col. Devens left the regiment here to accept his
commission as brigadier general, and Lt. Col. Kimball took command.

The fifteenth was one of the first regiments to enter Yorktown after
the evacuation. May 4. Two days later it embarked for West Point, and
arrived early next morning in time to reinforce Gen. Franklin, but it took
no part in the fighting. On the 9th it occupied Camp Eltham. On the
15th it marched to Austin's Church towards Richmond ; on the 18th it
moved three miles towards the Chickahominy River. It was near Bot-
tom's Ridge, May 21.

The battle of May 31 was reported by Col. Kimball, as follows :

Early in the afternoon of May 31, rapid and heavy firing was heard, distinctly
heard, from across the river. The troops under General Sumner, including the Fif-
teenth Regiment, were immediately under arms, and marched to the assistance of Gen-
eral Casey. Crossing the river on a bridge of logs, called Sumner's Grapevine Bridge,
the column advanced about two miles, and formed near Fair Oaks Station, in anticipa-
tion of an attack. The regiment had barely time to load before the battle, which raged
fiercely until after dark, began. The first position taken by the Fifteenth Regiment
was in support of a battery of light artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Kirby of the
regular service, which was playing with great effect on the concealed enemy. This po-
sition was trying to the men, in the extreme ; as but a small portion were engaged, the
balance could only stand firmly before the storm of bullets, to resist the charge, should
one be attempted. Three times did the foe, flushed with the victory of the morning,
and confident of success, rush upon the battery almost to the cannon's mouth, but each
time were driven back in disorder, leaving many brave men within a few yards of our
bayonets. Before they could rally from this terrible fire of canister and musketry, a

588 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

charge upon them was ordered. With wild shouts and cheers, the unwavering line ad-
vanced into the almost impenetrable thicket, but the enemy had fled ; their dead and
wounded alone were left, the evidences of a glorious victory. That night the troops
rested upon their arms, on the battle-field, the horrors of which were made doubly re-
volting by the unceasing groans of the wounded.

In the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, the regiment lost five killed and
17 wounded. The duty during June was severe, waiting on the battle
field for the expected attack, fortifying, skirmishing.

The Fifteenth was in the engagement at Savage Station June 29, and
soon afterward in White Oak Swamp and at Nelson's Farm. Reaching
Harrison's Landing July 2, worn out by the campaign since Fair Oaks,
in which eleven were wounded and 26 missing, the regiment rested in
July. In August it marched to Newport News, whence it went by water
to Chain Bridge, in the defenses of Washington. The call was urgent,
and the regiment was despatched at once to Centreville. Several days
were spent in marching and countermarching. Sept. 14 it marched from
Frederick to South Mountain Pass. Col. Kimball describes thus the
part taken in the battle of Antietam :

A section of the enemy's artillery was planted immediately in front and not more
than six hundred yards distant from my right wing. This was twice silenced and
driven back by the fire of my right concentrated upon it. The engagement lasted be-
tween twenty and thirty minutes, my line remaining unbroken, the left wing advancing
some ten yards under a most terrific fire of infantry. [At this time occurred one of
those blunders not uncommon in battle, by which the regiment was exposed to a mur-
derous fire from a New York regiment. This was remedied by General Sumner after
our men had suffered severely.] The enemy soon appeared in heavy columns advanc-
ing on my left and rear, pouring in a deadly fire on my left wing. We retired slowly
and in good order, bringing off our colors and a battle-flag captured from the enemy,
re-forming by the order of General Gorman in a piece of woods some five hundred
yards to the rear, and under cover of our artillery. This position was held until I
was ordered to support a battery, planted upon the brow of a hill immediately in our
rear, the enemy having opened again with artillery. This fire being silenced, the posi-
tion was held throughout the day.

Col. Ward returned to the service and took command of the regi-
ment Feb. 5, 1863, and was soon afterward made acting brigadier-gen-
eral, leaving Lt. Col. Joslin in command. May 2 the regiment crossed
the Rappahannock river at Fredericksburg on pontoon bridges :

The Fifteenth was soon after directed to take a position on the extreme right of
the First Brigade, and commenced moving to a point on the right of the city; and at
the same moment, the enemy's batteries opened from three different points with solid
shot and shell, which they kept up while the regiment was going the distance of half a
mile. At the same time this movement was going on, the enemy were hurrying up
their infantry at double-quick and filling the rifle-pits on the crest of the hill in our
fronts, almost in rifle range. It was our good fortune to have a slight embankment for
a cover, where we remained for two hours, until the position known as 'Marye's Heights,'
in rear of the famous bank-wall rifle-pit, — where so many brave men laid down their

AND ITS PEOPLE 589

lives at the first battle of Fredericksburg, — was flanked by General Sedgwick's Sixth
Corps, and the enemy in our front began to fall back. A canal, some thirty feet wide, and
too deep to ford, prevented our advancing directly in front, and we were obliged to return
to the city before doing so. During the time we had remained there, the enemy had
placed two guns in such a position on the bluflf, on the south side of the river, that
they had an enfilading fire on our line while returning to the city ; but either through
their great haste to join their fleeing comrades, or bad practice, they did us little harm;
but two were slightly wounded during the whole shelling. After following up the ene-
my two miles, the second division was ordered back to the city; the Fifteenth to the
north bank of the river, supporting Battery A, First Rhode Island Artillery, which
covered the pontoon bridge, where we remained until the following day about dusk,
when companies A, B, E, and G, moved into the rifle-pits, above and below the bridge,
to cover its removal.

In June the regiment started on his way to Gettysburg. On July
1 the sound of cannon was heard, and that night the regiment bivou-
acked three miles south of Gettysburg. The regiment took part in the
second and third days' fighting. The following report tells of the work
of the third day :

The rebels opened on our lines with over a hundred pieces of artillery at about one
P. M. This terrible fire was continued for over two hours ; but though the air seemed
full of the fragments of bursting shells, but comparatively little damage was done. At
three, P. M., the rebel infantry moved to the assault. Our men sprang promptly to
meet them, glad at a prospect of work, relieving them from their painful recumbent
position, which a broiling sun rendered the more intolerable. This contest lasted an
hour or two ; during which both armies showed a determination to hold the ground,
regardless of the results. A slight wavering of the rebel line was detected, and at sug-
gestion of Colonel Hall, commanding the Third Brigade, the colors of the Fifteenth
were ordered to advance by Colonel Joslin, when the remnant of the regiment, led by
the colonel, rallied promptly around them, and the whole line, as if moved by one im-
pulse, rushed forward and carried the position.

The regiment was skirmishing on the fourth of July. During the
Battle of Gettysburg the Fifteenth lost three officers killed and eight
wounded ; nineteen enlisted men killed, and 85 wounded. Col. Ward
of Worcester was one of the killed. (See biography). Until the 14th,
the regiment was engaged in the pursuit of the Rebels. On the 16th
Harper's Ferry was passed on the way to Loudon Valley. On Aug. 15,
179 drafted recruits were added to the regiment. On Aug. 31 the march
to Bank's Ford from Morrisville; on the thirteenth the Rappahannock
was crossed. Through the months of September, October and Novem-
ber the regiment was marching, picketing, skirmishing, expecting battle
daily. In the action of Mine Run, Nov. 27, the regiment lost 18 men.
The regiment went into winter quarters at Stevensburg, having been on
duty of the most arduous and dangerous kind from the beginning of the
year, and taking part in many engagements and battles. In the spring
more recruits came, but May 1, the total strength of the Fifteenth was
only about 300. These went into the Wilderness, where half of them

390 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

were lost, and the remnant served in the siege of Petersburg. But five
officers and seventy men were on duty at Jerusalem Plank Road, June
22d, and almost all of them were taken prisoners at that time. Lt. Col.
Hooper and five men escaped. The term of enlistment of the regiment
had expired, excepting that of one company which had to serve until
Aug. 0. Those who were able to travel, only 85 ofiicers and men, arrived
home July 21, and were welcomed by Gov. Andrew and his staflf, Mayor
Lincoln, and a great gathering of people.

The Twenty-first Regiment.— The Twenty-first Regiment of Infan-
try was organized mainly in Worcester county, and was commanded
first by Col. Augustus Morse. Six companies encamped on the Agri-
cultural Fair Grounds, July 19. 1861, and the camp was named for ex-
Gov. Lincoln. In appreciation of the honor, Mr. Lincoln wrote:

Worcester, July 22, 1861.

General:— I cannot fail to receive with the deepest and most grateful emotions,
your communication of the honor conferred upon me in the designation of the encamp-
ment of the Twenty-first Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under your command,
by expressly associating the remembrance of me with the historical position of the name
which it is my privilege to bear, and with his who at the head of the nation in this
most perilous crisis of its destiny, by his consummate wisdom, heroic firmness and
constancy, and devoted patriotism in purpose and action, has made that name eminently
and forever illustrious.

With no personal pretensions to this most flattering notice, I yet may be permitted,
I trust, without indelicacy, to claim that my family has not been without its representa-
tive servant in all the most eventful periods of our country's history.

Two brothers of my father were in the army of the Revolution. A brother of my
own was in the service of the state, in command of a company, in the war of 1812 with
Great Britain. A son fell in the battle of Buena Vista, in Mexico. A grandson is at
this time enrolled with the rank and file of the noble Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers of
Baltimore celebrity. Thus the blood of four successive generations binds me in sym-
pathy with the brave defenders of the republic; and the earnest, fervent prayer of my
last declining years is, that those on whom will devolve the great duty of upholding the
integrity of the Union, and of preserving and transmitting the institutions of free con-
stitutional government, with all the countless and inappreciably precious blessings of
liberty protection, and social order, which only such a government can secure, may be
faithful and competent to their high responsibility, and gloriously triumphant in this
mortal struggle for national existence.

The ladies of Worcester gave to this command a beautiful flag,
which was presented at formal exercises by Hon. Alexander H. Bullock
in an eloquent address.

The regiment started for the front Aug. 23, 1861, and on its arrival
in Baltimore camped in Paterson Park, proceeding on the 29th to An-
napolis, excepting four companies left at Annapolis Junction to guard
the railroad and prevent contraband goods from passing into \^irginia.
The entire regiment under Lt. Col. Maggi, 937 men, embarked on the
steamship Northerner, Jan. 6, 1862, to take part in the Burnside expedi-
tion, landing Feb. 7 on Roanoke Island, and taking part in the capture.
The following report by Maj. Theodore S. Foster tells the story:

AND ITS PEOPLE 59 1

To the Twenty-first was assigned the honor of doing picket duty for the division
that night ; this dangerous duty was well performed, with the loss of one man, severely
wounded by the enemy. The regiment was remarkably cool in the battle of the next
day. The action commenced early in the morning, by an attack upon a rebel battery,
strongly supported, and well covered by the enemy's skirmishers. The Twenty-first,
gallantly and skillfully led by Lieutenant-Colonel Maggi, worked their way, under the
enemy's fire, through a deep swamp full of dense underbrush and briers, which pro-
tected the right flank of the battery, and was considered by the enemy as impassable.
Having flanked the position, the regiment made a brave, steady charge with the bayo-
net, driving the enemy from their works, and capturing the rebel flag which was on
their battery, they planted in its place their regimental state flag, which was the first
Union flag in the battery. The loss of the regiment was, commissioned officers, two
wounded. Captain T. S. Foster, and Lieutenant Frazer A. Stearns ; enlisted men, five
killed, and fifty wounded, eight of them mortally, who died soon after. Total, fifty-
seven.

The regiment went into camp, named after Gen. Burnside, and soon
afterward Maj. W. S. Clark became lieutenant-colonel, succeeding Lt.
Col. Maggi, resigned, and took command. Col. Morse had been left in
command of the fort in Maryland. On the 11th the regiment sailed in
the Northerner for Newbern, and took part in the battle on the 14th.
The first gun taken in that battle was given to this regiment by Gen.
Burnside as a monument to Frazer A. Stearns, who was killed Two
other officers were wounded, 19 enlisted men killed, thirty-five wounded,
of whom four died soon afterward; total loss, 5T.

After a month in Camp Andrew, the regiment went aboard the
Northerner at Newbern, April ITth, landing on the 21st, made a forced
march of nearly 20 miles and participated in the battle of Camden,
having one man killed and 14 wounded, three mortally. The last service
in North Carolina was a forced march May 17 to PoUockville, to the
relief of a Maryland regiment. On July 6 the regiment embarked on the
Scout and Farrington, and proceeded to Camp Lincoln, near Newport
News. A few weeks later it boarded steamers Nantasket and High-
land Light, Aug. 2, landing at Acquia Creek, Va., on the 4th. On the
12th, leaving tents and baggage, it started afoot for the Rapidan and suf-
fered extremely in Pope's retreat. In the second battle of Bull Run,
Aug. 30, the regiment earned great praise and distinction. "When every-
thing on the left seemed lost, they under the guidance of the brave and
skillful Reno, stopped the enemy in the moment of victory and prevented
them from realizing its fruits." Their own loss was small ; the wounded
and missing numbered nine.. The regiment fought in the battle of
Chantilly, Sept. 1, losing heavily:

Ordered into action just as night was coming on, in a severe thunder-storm, to
fight an enemy of whose numbers and position no one seemed to be aware, they fell
into an ambuscade of the rebel regiments. Though somewhat thrown into confusion by
the fearful slaughter inflicted upon them by the first volley from their concealed foes,
the regiment held its ground. The rain soon made most of the guns on both sides un-

592 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

serviceable, but the Twenty-first were not afraid to rely on the bayonet, which in many
instances, was used by both parties, till by the timely arrival of reinforcements, the
enemy was driven from the field, with the loss of many killed, wounded and prisoners.
About midnight after the battle, the baggage trains being in safety, the Union forces
were drawn back to Fairfax Court House, and we were compelled to leave most of our
seriously wounded to be taken prisoners by the enemy, as well as several men who were
engaged in bringing them from the field, and assisting the. surgeons. The losses in
this battle were, commissioned officers, three killed, viz., Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Rice ;
First Lieutenant F. A. Bemis, and Second Lieutenant W. B. Hill; mortally wounded
and died soon after the action, three, viz., Captains J. D. Frazer and L J. Kelton, and
First Lieutenant H. A. Beckwith ; wounded and prisoners, two, viz., First Lieutenant
W. H. Clark, and second Lieutenant S. McCabe ; prisoners. Captain George P. Hawkes,
Acting Major, Adjutant W. Willard, and Second Lieutenant G. C. Parker. Total of-
ficers eleven. Enlisted men killed, twenty-two; mortally wounded and died soon after,
eight; wounded and prisoners, twenty-four; wounded, forty-five; prisoners, thirty-
four. Total killed and wounded in the action, one hundred and seven ; prisoners, not
wounded, thirty-seven. Aggregate, one hundred and forty-four.

The regiment marched afterward through Alexandria and Washing-
ton into Maryland, and took part in the battle of South Mountain, in
which five men were wounded. Then came the bloody battle of Antie-
tam, in which the regiment did its full share, entering with 150 men, two
companies being absent. One officer was killed, two wounded ; six
enlisted men were killed, 34 wounded, three mortally. The regiment
had lost at this time 363 men. In Maryland and Virginia the regiment
continued in active service during October and November, and fought in
the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13. Out of 284 engaged, 69 were lost.
On the 14th they were engaged again, but being well sheltered lost only
one man. At the end of 1862 the regiment was in the old cainp near
Falmouth. On Feb. 9 it broke camp and marched to Newport News;
thence westward to Paris, Ky., where it encamped April 1 on the fair
grounds. Four days later it marched to Mt. Sterling, where it remained
for three months. On July 6, it marched to Lexington, Ky., thence to
Camp Nelson, where it remained until Sept. 12, when the march of 185
miles to Knoxville began. From this time to the end of the year there
was incessant marching, starving and fighting. Lt. Col. Hawkes was
then in command. Col. Clark receiving his discharge in April.

The regiment took part in the action at Blue Springs, Oct. 11.
Through the siege of Knoxville it was on duty continually, one night
on picket, the next in the rifle-pits. It made one of the most brilliant
charges of the siege, Nov, 24, when with another crack regiment it drove
the enemy sharpshooters from the houses and fences of Knoxville.
Dwight Ripley was shot and killed Nov. 25. The siege ended Dec. 5, and
the Twenty-first joined in the pursuit of the retreating Rebels. Not-
withstanding the hardships of this campaign, the half-rations, lack of
clothing, all but 24 of the regiment re-enlisted in the woods of East
Tennessee in the space of 36 hours.

After a furlough the regiment went to Annapolis. On April 3, after

AND ITS PEOPLE 593

a review by President Lincoln in Washington, it marched to Bristow's
Station on the Rapidan ; crossed the river May 5 at Germania Ford, and
engaged in the battle of the Wilderness. The Twenty-first was one of
the two regiments that "prevented the Rebels reaping any fruits from
their temporary success." The loss was fifteen. On the 21st it was
in another engagement, and made a charge in which ten were lost.
Skirmishes followed for two days, during which 27 more were lost.
There was another skirmish the night of the 19th ; another on the 24th
at North Anna river, after which the regiment marched to Shady Grove
road, where, formed in line of battle, it lay several days and nights in
sight of the enemy. On May 31 and June 1 there were lively picket
fights, and three were killed and three wounded. On the 21st, the regi-
ment again won distinction :

The Twenty-first fell back as slowly as possible, and engaged them fiercely. Soon
however the whole rebel line advanced, and almost surrounded the Twenty-first, which
fell back and joined the division, when the whole corps soon became a:ctively engaged,
and soon the whole army. In this terrible trial, the Twenty-first, under command of
the brave and now regretted Captain Sampson, did nobly; otherwise the whole rebel
line would have been upon our army's rear before prepared for it. As it was, with due
notice by the brisk firing of the picket, they were alarmed, formed in line of battle,
and resisted the impetuous charge of the rebels with terrible slaughter."

In this action seven were killed, 26 wounded, 13 missing; total 46.
Next day the regiment was again engaged, repelling an attack of the
enemy. Then came a few days of rest, interrupted by occasional skirm-
ishes, after which the march to the James river began. Crossing the
river, the regiment arrived at a position near Petersburg, June 16, and
took part in the fighting of that day. In the trenches the regiment was
exposed to great hardship through the month of July, during which
three were killed and ten wounded. The day of the explosion of the
Mine was one of great disaster. The loss was two killed, 15 wounded,
seven missing.

It was decided Aug. 18 that the 21st was not a veteran regiment,
because 56 of the reenlisted men had been rejected, and the regiment
was ordered to be broken up. On that very day, how^ever, the remnants
of the regiment were engaged. The re-enlisted men were organized as
the Thirty-sixth Regt. after the others had left for home. The returning
veterans came from City Point to Washington, Aug. 19, arriving in Bos-
ton, Aug. 22. They assembled again in Worcester on Aug. 30 and were
mustered out. The losses during service were : 11 commissioned
officers and 120 men killed ; 24 officers and 383 men wounded ; 78 miss-
ing. The regiment took part in 23 battles, besides various skirmishes.

Twenty-fifth Mass. Volunteers. — The Worcester County Regiment
(25th Mass.) was organized at Camp Lincoln in September and Octo-

W.— 1-38.

594 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

ber, 1861, and left for the front Oct. 31. The enlistments were stimu-
lated by a war meeting in Mechanics Hall, Sept. 14, D. Waldo Lincoln
presiding, and Hon. Henry Wilson and Hon. A. H. Bullock delivering
stirring addresses. Lieut. McCafferty also made an appeal to the young
men to enlist. Lt. Col. Sprague was given a sword and belt by members
of Co. A, lately under his command, and the various other officers
received similar gifts. A horse was presented by his friends to Maj. Mc-
Cafferty, and a sword and other accoutrements by members of the bar.
A horse was also presented to Col. Sprague. A flag was given by the
ladies. The presentation of the many gifts to the officers of the regiment
gave occasion for some speeches of historic value and fiery eloquence.
Gov. Andrew reviewed the new regiment Oct. 30, and he praised the
appearance of the men. At the time of its departure the Spy commented
thus :

It is of the same good stock as the Fifteenth, of whose achievements we are all so
justly proud. It was too plain for concealment, and is no reflection upon any other
regiment, that the heart of our city was more deeply touched by its departure than by
that of any previous one. Our whole community watched its gathering and its organ-
ization with the deepest interest, and it was present in unprecedented numbers to cheer
it oflf. But we do not forget there were other experiences ; that there were afflictive
separations, and groans and tears. . . . We have good reason for believing that
there is not a man in the Twenty-fifth who does not know how warmly his regiment is
cherished here ; and we know there is not a class, or sect, or party, or nationality,
which have not representatives in it, of which each can say, "By them we will be
judged." As a living power in defence of a good cause, this regiment will be known
widely hereafter. May the God of justice be its helper! for with Him is victory, and
out of victory must come peace, its blessed fruit.

The regiment arrived in New York, Nov. 1, via New London. The
officers breakfasted at the Astor House, and speeches were delivered by
Col. Howe, Samuel Hathaway, Lt. Col. Sprague, Gen. Burnside, Nathan
Jackson, a veteran of the Revolutionary war, and Parke Godwin, editor
of the New York Evening Post, Richard Busteed and Rev. Horace
James, chaplain. Arriving on Nov. 3 at Annapolis, the regiment en-
camped at Camp Hicks, where it remained until Jan. 7, 1862, embarking
then on the New York Zouave and Skirmisher, and sailing on the tenth.
The Zouave foundered on the way south, but no lives were lost. On the
7th a landing was made on Roanoke Island. The battle followed and the
regiment lost six killed and 42 wounded. Col. Upton reported :

I would express my great satisfaction with the conduct of the regiment, both offi-
cers and men. It was, throughout the engagement, of the bravest kind, standing as
they did for hours, in the water to their knees, exposed to an incessant fire of mus-
ketry, grape and shell, with no disposition on the part of any man to waver. The
skirmishing of company A, Captain Pickett, was performed in a manner that would
have done credit to regulars. I can but express my particular satisfaction with the
manner in which Lieutenant-Colonel Sprague, Major McCafferty and Adjutant Hark-

AND ITS PEOPLE 595

ness performed the duties devolving upon them, and the support rendered me by them
throughout the engagement.

The regiment embarked Mar. 7 and sailed for Newbern, landing on
the 11th at Slocum's creek, and taking part in the battle of Newbern,
which was described by Col. Upton in a letter to the Fitchburg Sentinel
as follows :

We built camp-fires, sent out our pickets, partook of a lunch from our haversacks,
and after making a reconnoissance down the river, prepared to spend the night on the
ground already very wet, and rain still falling in torrents. Some of our men lying
down and some standing up, we generally passed a sleepless night. We had our lunch
early, and were ready to move at seven o'clock. We passed along nearly a mile, and
discovered an earthwork thrown up with the enemy in position, and batteries com-
manding the road. We flanked ofi to the right, and had hardly cleared the road be-
fore they opened their batteries, throwing their shot and shell in a very careless man-
ner. . . . We sent out scouts to ascertain their exact position, and found a long
line of breastworks, some two miles, we sent out the two flank companies as skirmishers
into the woods, to see what was there, as the balls were flying all around us. They ad-
vanced some little distance, discovered a portion of the enemy, and opened fire upon
them as did also the regiment. They soon surrendered to the number of about one
hundred and fifty men, and were placed in charge of Co. H, Captain Moulton. Their
colonel, who delivered his pistol to me, showed a bullet hole through his cap, which
just cleared his head, and said he would rather it had gone through his head than to
have surrendered. He was in the fight at Big Bethel, and is a tough customer.

The 25th was the first to reach the city of Newbern. The loss was
small, four killed and 16 wounded. The regiment did provost duty in
the city until May 9. Lt. Col. Sprague left with his regiment July 24
and marched with other regiments to Trenton, but found no enemy
opposing and returned five days later.

During the summer Lt. Col. Sprague left to accept a commission as
colonel of the 51st and Col. Upton resigned, Major Pickett succeeding to
the command. In October the regiment moved and on Nov. 2 took part
in a sharp fight at Rawles's Mills, routing the enemy. Hamilton was
reached on the fourth and abandoned on the sixth, the enemy being too
strongly entrenched. On Dec. 11, the regiment took part in the march
to Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro and shared in some hard fighting.

In the spring of 1863, the rebels boasted that they would drive the
Union troops from North Carolina, and re-possess Newbern on the four-
teenth of March, the anniversary of its capture, one year before, by
General Burnside. The first demonstration was made on the afternoon
of the thirteenth of March on the outpost at Deep Gully, with a large
force of infantry, cavalry and artillery.

On this day, Colonel Pickett, with six companies, started at half-
past five p. m., for Deep Gully, where the other four companies were sta-
tioned, that place being attacked by the enemy, who were in strong
force in front. Guarding and skirmishing followed till morning, when a

596 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

company was moved forward which attacked the enemy's line. Musk-
etry firing was kept up for nearly three hours. The colonel's report con-
tinues :

The city being attacked in our rear, the regiments supporting me were withdrawn
for its defence, and I was left with my regiment and two pieces of artillery, to take care
of the enemy as best I could. Having special orders from General Palmer not to ex-
pose the pieces, I blockaded the road and fell back to a better position at the Jackson
House, and awaited their advance. They soon began to shell the woods around, and
kept it up at intervals during the day, but did not advance. . . . Captain Harring-
ton, with one company, was sent out to observe the movements and position of the
enemy if possible. He went as far as Deep Gully, and found them falling back, and
exchanged shots with them at that place.

In this expedition one man was wounded, and one was missing.
Nothing of special importance took place, in the military line, for about
two months, although it must be remembered, that our forces by merely
holding their position, were doing an important service.

The regiment, however, was actively employed, although no decisive
results were obtained. The enemy failing in their attempts on Newbern,
next turned their attention to Washington and Plymouth. To resist
and foil their designs. Colonel Pickett was sent on the eighteenth of
March, to the important post of Plymouth. He did not reach the place
a moment too soon, as the rebels were already threatening an attack.
The river side of the town was protected by our gun-boats, and the
whole land force, under command of Colonel Pickett, began immediately
to perfect the fortifications of the post. On the thirtieth. General Hill,
while threatening Plymouth, made a determined attack on Washington.
While he was wasting his strength vainly there, our troops at Plymouth
completed the work of fortifying the post; and General Hill, with his
rebel forces, dejected and discouraged, withdrew. While in "Camp Flus-
ser," at Plymouth, the Twenty-fifth, under command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Moulton, performed much laborious service, always cherfully
undergoing the most fatiguing duties to ensure the safety of the place.
On the seventh of May, the regiment being relieved by troops from Gen-
eral Wessell's brigade, was ordered back to Newbern, and re-occupied
its old camp near the city.

On the twenty-first of May, the regiment started at half an hour
after midnight, on an expedition to Gum Creek. After a long march,
and a ride on a train of cars about eight miles, the regiment reached
Cove Creek at half-past eleven p. m. In half an hour it took up its line
of march for Gum Creek, Captain Denny at the head of Company K,
acting as advance-guard. "We moved on quickly," writes Colonel
Pickett, "meeting no opposition from, or seeing any signs of the enemy,
till about four o'clock on the morning of the twenty-second ; then our
advance-guard met the enemy's pickets, exchanged shots with them aixi

AND ITS PEOPLE 597

drove them in. Advancing cautiously, we were soon in the neighbor-
hood of the enemy's camp. By order of Colonel Lee, I filed my regi-
ment into the field to the right of the road, and took position on the left
flank of the enemy, forming line of battle." Captains Denny and O'Neil,
with their companies, were sent forward as skirmishers, and to discover
and report the position of the enemy. They soon sent word that they
"were in sight of a long line of earthworks, and had exchanged shots with
the enemy. I instructed them to engage him closely, so as to draw, if
possible, his attention from his flanks and rear. This they succeeded in
doing admirably. Our skirmishers exchanged their first shots with the
enemy at his earthworks, at about half-past six a. m. At ten, we heard
firing in the rear of the enemy, which indicated the approach of Colonel
Jones in that direction. I immediately strengthened my line of skirm-
ishers by throwing forward Company A, Captain. Goodwin, and moved
foward my regiment in line of battle. Company A was soon over the
earthworks. The enemy, outflanked and attacked in the rear, had fled
precipitately to the woods and swamps, and I had the pleasure, in a few
moments, of seeing my regimental colours planted upon their entrench-
ments. At five p. m., the enemy, — no doubt, reinforced from Kinston, —
moved down the railroad and commenced shelling the woods. The
object of the expedition having been accomplished, we took up our line
of march for Cove Creek."

On the return, while acting as a rear-guard on the twenty-third,
the enemy's advance-guard fired on our regiment from the opposite side
of the creek. Soon word came that three regiments of the enemy were
moving down with the very "evident intention of striking our left
flank and rear" before the regiment could reach the cars. By good man-
agement, this design of the enemy was foiled, and our troops retired
safely to Newbern, where they arrived about four p. m. on the twenty-
third, which was Saturday. Three privates were wounded, and one
was missing.

On the third of July, Lieutenant-Colonel Moulton, with companies
B, C, F, I and K, was ordered to Washington, North Carolina, to rein-
force the garrison. Three companies, B, C and F, under command of
Captain Foss, garrisoned the defences at Hill's Point. Company I, Cap-
tain Parkhurst, was stationed at Rodman's Quarter, and Company K was
retained in the city as provost-guard. Captain Denny had been trans-
ferred from Newbern, where he had served as provost-marshal, to the
same position at Washington. The five companies remaining at or near
Newbern, under command of Colonel Pickett, marched on the seven-
teenth of July, to Swift Creek, supporting the cavalry column in the
Rocky Mount raid. There was slight skirmishing with the enemy. Thev
returned on the twentieth.

The next expedition took place in the latter part of July, and
extended to Winton. Four companies of the regiment left Newbern on

598 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

the twenty-fifth, on board the steamer "Colonel Rucker," at six o'clock
in the morning. They reached Winton on the twenty-sixth, where they
disembarked, "and went into bivouac on the Chowan River. On the
twenty-eighth, two companies under command of Captain T. O'Neil,
went to Colerain, twenty miles distant from Winton. The next day
they returned, bringing with them thirty-three horses and mules, a num-
ber of carriages, &c." Detachments of companies G and II, under com-
mand of Captain Harrington, were sent out ten miles on the Colerain
road, to bring in cotton. They returned, next day. with twelve bales
of cotton, and twenty horses and mules, and a number of carriages, har-
ness, &c. No commissary stores were met with, as the enemy had
removed or concealed everything of the kind. On the last day of July
the troops embarked on the steamer Utica, having in charge sixty-six
prisoners, including three commissioned officers.

At this time the force under command of Colonel Pickett numbered
two hundred and eighteen enlisted men ; nine line officers ; three field
and stafif officers ; total, two hundred and thirty.

The month of August was passed by the companies at Newbern in
the work of entrenching and strengthening the defences.

Colonel Pickett was assigned to the command of the sub-dis.rict of
Pamplico, head-quarters at Washington, on the sixth of September The
district embraced all the line of fortifications in and about Washington;
and also all the defensible works on the Tar Riv.er and vicinity. At the
same time companies A, E, G and H, were ordered to the Red , ■ 'Use,
on outpost duty, under command of Major Atwood. Company L'ap-

tain Foster, garrisoned Fort Stevenson, on the Neuse River. i the

twenty-second of October, Surgeon Rice, with his orderly, was taken pris-
oner, outside the lines, by a scouting party of rebels, near our o m ^t at
Red House. He was exchanged after a brief stay at the "LiV

In this scattered condition the regiment did valuable service until
October 23, when orders were received for the Twenty-fifth to Miicen-
trate at Newbern, under Lieutenant-Colonel Moulton, and im; tcliately
proceed to Fortress Monroe, with a view to joining in a projected move-
ment on Weldon Bridge, North Carolina; but in the meantime. > weral
Foster being ordered to Tennessee, and General Butler assum •_: ^om-
mand, the expedition w^as abandoned, and the regiment went i imp

at Newport News. On the fifth of December, Colonel Pic ' ving

been relieved from the command at Washington, Norlli Carob med

the regiment with the adjutant, Lieutenant McConville. and lant

Drennan, both of whom had been serving on stafT duty at W ^ton

with him.

On the fourteenth of December, the regiment was statio; imp

Upton, Newport News, where it remained until the fourtii the

succeeding February. While there four hundred and l' ' the

men were re-enlisted under the provisions of General ( *r 191,

AND ITS PEOPLE 599

C. S., 1863, War Department, and were allowed to proceed to Massachu-
setts on furlough as a veteran regiment.

After a month's furlough during which the reenlisted veterans were
given a warm reception at home and in Boston, the 25th, under Col.
Pickett went to the front again, leaving March 25, 1863, by rail, to Bal-
timore, thence by sea to Fortress Monroe. Just before leaving a beau-
tiful flag was presented to the regiment by Miss Frances M. Lincoln in
behalf of the ladies of the city. The first flag had been worn out in the
service.

On the these men left the fortress and proceeded to Getty's

station where they were joined by those of the regiment who had not
reenlisted, and were stationed at Camp Wellington. They took part
in a skirmish during an expedition to Smithfield Apr. 13.

Orders were received Apr. 22 to embark for Plymouth, N. C, but
when the regiment reached Albermarle Sound, it was ordered back to
Getty's station. In the meantime two companies that had been on an
expedition to Suffolk, Va., returned to camp.

From April 26 to May 4 the regiment was at Yorktown, leaving
then for Bermuda Hundred, arriving on the fifth, and marching next
morning to Cobb's Hill, whic^ was occupied at 11 a. m. At five p. m. the
brigade attacked the enemy at Walthall Station to get possession of the
Richmond & Petersburg Railroad, but failed, losing three killed and 14
wounded. Another attack next day succeeded.

An advance was made on the Richmond Turnpike May 9 and the
enemy driven into works on Swift Creek. The regiment repelled a furi-
ous charge of the 25th S. Carolina. This action was known as the battle
of Arrowfield Church and cost an officer and 11 men killed, two officers
and 47 men wounded. There was skirmishing May 11 when the regi-
ment marched on the turnpike toward Richmond, and again the next
day, continuing until the 16th, when the enemy made a desperate assault.
The 25th fought splendidly, holding their ground with the utmost ten-
acity, inflicting on the charging columns of the enemy the most terrible
slaughter, until surrounded, and with ammunition exhausted, they were
ordered to face by the rear rank and charge the Rebel line. Thus the
regiment extricated itself, reformed its lines in the rear, and checked the
further advance of the enemy. Eleven were killed, 52 wounded and 73
missing in this regiment.

The regiment went to White House on the 30th, and marched next
day toward Richmond, bivouacking at Church Tavern, within twelve
miles of the city. June 1 they reached Cold Harbor. Following is the
official report:

We were ordered to assault the enemy's works. The regiment charged gallantly
some distance through a most galling fire, until within a few yards of their intrench-
ments ; [the enemy's] they were met by a storm of bullets, shot and shell, that no hu-

667200A

6oo HISTORY OF WORCESTER

mail power could withstand. Checked in their attempt to break the rebel line, and
with two-thirds of their number killed or disabled, the regiment still determinedly held
the position gained, protecting themselves as best they could, by the nature of the
ground, until dark, when with their hands and tin cups, rifle-pits were constructed,
thus rendering the position tenable. In this desperate assault the regiment displayed
the most heroic bravery.

On the 12th it marched to White House. The regiment lost at Cold
Harbor four officers and 23 men killed ; 11 officers and 128 men wounded ;
two officers and 4T men missing. In two weeks it had lost two-thirds of
its number. The remnants were at Point of Rocks on the Appomattox,
June 14, and at 2 a. m. next day started for Petersburg. During the
action on the 15th, Co. A under Sergt. Samuel Putnam captured three
12-lb. Napoleon guns. Capt. V. P. Parkhurst succeeded to the com-
mand of the regiment.

During a charge on the 18th, the regiment lost an officer and 12 men
wounded. During the next five weeks it was in the trenches in front
of Petersburg and lost six men killed, an officer and 24 men wounded.
From Aug. 25 to Sept. 4 it was on the left of Butler's line of works.
Thence it went again to Newbern, X. C. On Oct. 15 those whose term
had expired were ordered home under Capt. Denny, and were mustered
out Oct. 20. They received a most cordial welcome. The remainder
of the regiment was assigned with their officers in four companies in a
battalion under Capt. James Tucker, to quarters near Ft. Spinola. The
total loss of the regiment was 21 officers and 383 men.

During the last months of 1864 and two months in 18G5 the remain-
ing battalion of the regiment was engaged in picket duty near Newbern,
and was in action March 10, having an officer and four men wounded.
On March 22 it marched for Goldsboro, and joined Sherman's army.
From May 12 to July 13 it was in the vicinity of Charlotte. Return-
ing homeward, it reached Readville, July 21, and a week later was mus-
tered out.

The Thirty-sixth Regiment. — The 3()th Regiment, recruited in this
city, was ready for the field Sept. 3, 1861, in command of Col. Henry
Bowman. Colors were given by Mayor Aldrich, and the regiment
proceeded to Boston, where it emliarked on the steamer Merriniac, and
arrived in Washington on Sept. 11. It was stationed af Leesboro, leav-
ing on the 15th to join Burnside's army. On Sept. 20 it arrived at Antie-
tam Iron Works, and on Oct. 7 at Pleasant Valley. After a march to
Frederick and Point of Rocks it returned on the 15th to Pleasant Val-
ley. It crossed the Potomac on a pontoon bridge at Berlin, Oct. 2, and
reached Lovettsville, Va., the same day. On Dec. 12 it took part in the
battle of Fredericksburg. It remained at Falmouth the rest of the year.
In February and March it was at Newport News, leaving late in March
for Lexington, Ky., where it encamped March 29. It was sent to Cin-
cinnati to do riot duty. It marched to Camp Dick Robinson, arriving

AND ITS PEOPLE 6oi

April 9 ; thence three weeks later to Middleburg, afterward being busy
in chasing Morgan's guerillas. It started for Vicksburg, June 7, embark-
ing on the Meteor at Cairo, and was stationed six miles in the rear of
Vicksburg. It took part in the pursuit of Johnston. The regiment
returned in August and went into barracks at Covington, Ky. On Sept.
10 the regiment was reduced to 189, out of nearly 800 enlisted. The
southern climate and hard marching disabled man}^ and caused many
deaths. On Sept. '22 the remnant of the regiment reached Morristown,
Tenn. It was kept busy to the end of the campaign defending East
Tennessee. From Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 it was in camp at Knoxville, then
ordered out to meet a Rebel force under Gen. Jones, defeating them at Blue
Springs, where Lt. Col. Goddell was wounded and five others. The
next day the enemy was pursued for 20 miles and many prisoners taken.
The regiment rested at Knoxville from the loth to the 20th, and was
very active until Oct. 4, when the men began to build winter quarters.
After working at this job a fortnight, the heaviest fighting of all took
place. The regiment was sent out to check Longstreet's advance, and
was attacked near Campbell's Station, where an officer and 14 privates
were wounded and four missing. On the 17th and 18th there was skirm-
ishing; on the 19th the regiment built rifle pits and occupied Ft. Saun-
ders. There was a fierce attack on the 29th. The enemy finally retreated
early in December. During the siege, only quarter-rations were received ;
blankets and shoes were lacking; the men suffered from hunger, cold
and lack of sleep. The official report says :

The regiment has marched an aggregate distance of one thousand and thirteen
miles, and has been transported an aggregate distance of four thousand three hundred
and twenty-eight miles. We have now eighteen officers, and one hundred and ninety-
two enlisted men present for duty. Since we left the state, [in September 1862,] one
officer and seven men have been killed or died of wounds, three officers and seventy-
nine men have died of disease, twelve officers and one hundred and thirty men have
been discharged, twenty-two men have been transferred to other organizations and
thirty-three men have been wounded in action, and eighteen men taken prisoners. Eight
have been promoted from the ranks.

Thirty-fourth Regiment. — The Thirty-fourth regiment composed of
men from this city and western Mass. left here Aug. 15, 1862, and went
through Norwich, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, to Washington ;
crossed Long Bridge to Arlington Heights, and camped at Camp Casey.
While here Maj. Bowman left to receive his commission as colonel of
the 36th. Marching to Alexandria on the 22d, the regiment was unable
to get transportation and camped there, remaining during Pope's retreat
from Manassas ; marched to Fairfax Seminary, Sept. 12, and on the 15th
to Ft. Lyon, where it remained until May, 1863, moving thence to Upton
Hill, and on June 2 to Washington, where it was occupied in defending
the city. On July 9 it was ordered to Harper's Ferry and started at once,

6o2 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

camping at Maryland Heights; crossing the Potomac in boats on the
14th, and taking possession of Harper's Ferry, from which the enemy had
retreated.

The 3-ith, with other troops under Col. Wells, attacked the force of
Gen. Imboden and put it to flight. The regiment was commended "for
steadiness of conduct and its endurance in the march of 35 miles with-
out food or rest in 15 hours and successfully fighting double their num-
ber for ten miles, returning to camp without a straggler."

On Dec. 10, the regiment was in action, marched 100 miles in four days
from Harrisonburg to Harper's Ferry, escaping from a superior Rebel
force. It took part in the battle of New Market, May 14:

Our advance cavalry v^^e found engaged with the enemy. The fighting lasted till
after dark. We were ordered to take position in a piece of woods held by the enemy.
After a sharp skirmish we drove them from their position. We lay in line of battle all
night, in a cold, drizzling rain storm, which had continued since morning, without shel-
ter from the storm, or anything to eat. At daylight,— May 15,— the next morning, three
companies were ordered forward, to take possession, and held this point until about
eleven A. M., when the enemy advanced a whole brigade, preceded by a double line of
skirmishers, against this little force. By skillful deployment, they had been made to
believe that our whole force was there. These three companies waited until their ad-
vance was within twenty rods, when they were rapidly and safely withdrawn. This
maneuver gained for us three or four hours, and enabled a part of the remaining force
of General Sigel to come up. We fell back about a mile, and forming a line of battle,
awaited the attack. The enemy were soon seen advancing in beautiful order, with three
lines of battle, each larger than our own, their line yelling, and firing with great ra-
pidity. We were ordered to lie down, and hold our fire till they came within close
range. After receiving their fire some ten minutes, we arose and poured into them a
sharp fire. Their first line was crushed, their second wavered, halted, and began to
fall back. A cheer ran along our lines, and the first success was ours. Colonel Tho-
burn, commanding brigade, rode along the line, ordering us to prepare to charge. We
fixed bayonets, and when the order came, sprang forward. The enemy had rallied,
and received us with a severe fire. After advancing about fifty yards we discovered
that the regiment was without support, and going forward alone. The order to halt
was sounded, but nothing could be heard in the din of battle; it was only by Colonel
Wells taking the color-bearer by the shoulder, and holding him fast, that the regiment
could be stopped. We fell back to our first position and renewed the fight. The bat-
tery on our right, losing its support, had limbered up and retired. We were alone on
the right, and the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania on the left of the pike; the fire of a
whole brigade was concentrated upon our regiment. The men were falling rapidly,
and it was useless to try to check, with our small force, the heavy column of the
enemy. The men fell back fighting stubbornly. All along the line they could be heard
saying to each other, 'For God's sake, don't run. Thirty-fourth! don't let them drive
you !' We were ordered by General Sullivan, commanding division, to fall back about a
mile, when a second line was formed. The enemy did not pursue. We went into the
fight with some five hundred men. Of this number in that half-hour's fight, we had one
officer and twenty-seven men killed, eight officers and one hundred and sixty-six men
wounded; three of the former, and many of the latter, being left in the enemy's hands;
and two officers and sixteen men prisoners; making a total loss of two hundred and
twenty-one. Nearly every man bore about him the marks of battle.

AND ITS PEOPLE 603

It took part in the battle of Piedmont, June 5. Capt. Potter, then in
command, reported:

After a good deal of maneuvering by our brigade on the left of the line, most
of the time under a heavy artillery fire, we were moved across to the right to make a
charge with the First Brigade. The enemy was advantageously posted in the woods,
on the crest of a hill. The charge was made about 2 P. M. The rebels, being behind
rail breast-works, made a stubborn resistance. We charged up to within twenty yards
of their works, when the whole line halted, and for twenty minutes the roar of mus-
ketry was terrible. The enemy attempting to turn our left, threw a heavy force upon
our fiank. It was a critical time. Had our left but given way, the day might have
had another issue. The two companies on the left, I and B, lost fifty-four men. This
attack being repulsed, we charged in turn driving them in the greatest confusion.
Along the right, our fire had been so hot it compelled the rebels to keep below their rail
barricades. We caught over one thousand uninjured men lying close behind them.

The regiment lost 15 men killed and 90 wounded, two mortally.
On Jvme T it marched to Buffalo Gap, destroying public buildings and
railroads. On June 10 it was engaged in the battle of Lynchburg, los-
ing five men killed, an officer and 41 men wounded. Then began a long
and tedious march to the west and north to Gauley Bridge. Rations
were short, and the men suffered from hunger. Marching was resumed
July 2, and Camp Piatt reached next day. On the -Ith the troops
entrained for Cherry Run, Md., arriving in four days, completing a great
circuit of many marches and several battles. From this time to Sept.
4 the regiment was constantly marching in various directions with fre-
quent skirmishes. From Sept. 4 to 19 it was at Summit Point. The reg-
iment took part in the battle of Winchester, Sept. 19, Capt. Thompson
in command :

Our regiment was ordered to hold a point of a hill looking towards a ravine where
the enemy appeared in force, and from which a flank attack might come. The whole
army soon charged our brigade, passing diagonally from left to right, across our front.
The fighting was now severe; the cheers of our men, and the fierce yells of the rebels,
rising above the roar of artillery and crashing of musketry. We soon went forward
and after getting clear of the woods, making a left half wheel, we charged directly
upon the enemy, who were posted behind a stone fence. We were now almost alone ;
with nothing almost on our left, and but a few stragglers on our right. The enemy
opened upon us a fire from two batteries ; when within sixty years of this fence, the
rebels rose and gave us a terrible volley. The men were falling rapidly, when we were
ordered to lie down. The two batteries, at close range, were firing their shot and shell
into us. It seemed certain death to remain. A staff officer ordered us to hold this
position if it cost every man we had. He told us that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps
would soon be up on our left. But it was impossible to stay there, and nothing was left
but to charge and drive the enemy from the wall. The order was given, and with a yell
we went forward. The enemy fled, leaving in our hands one gun. While gallantly
leading his men in this charge, the brave Captain Thompson fell, shot through the
heart. As a private in the Eighth Regiment, he fought at the first battle of Bull Run.
Obtaining a captaincy in the Thirty-fourth, he proved himself a most accomplished of-
ficer. Ever foremost in battle, his personal gallantry on the field won for him the re-

5o4 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

spect of all. Our lines were soon formed for the final charge, in three lines of battle,
crescent shaped. Over an open field we moved forward to the attack ; it was the most
splendidly magnificent sight ever seen ; no battle picture could exceed it. In beautiful
order, with banners gayly flying, these three lines, each nearly a mile in length, ad-
vanced upon the already disordered mass of the enemy, pouring into them a rapid and
concentric fire. As they broke, two divisions of cavalry, with flashing sabres and loud
yells, charged among them, then wheeling, charged back, driving over fifteen hundred
of the miscreant horde into our own lines. The fight was over, but the pursuit was kept
up all night, the rebels being chased to Fisher's Hill.

Out of 300 men the regiment lost 110. Next day it moved to Cedar
Creek. Then came the battle of Fisher's Hill. The report says:

Before daylight on the twenty-second, our corps was moved around to the right
of our lines. We passed up the side of the North Mountain, until we had got in the
rear of the enemy's lines, where with fixed bayonets and fierce yells we charged down
the mountain side, firing as we advanced. Had the heavens themselves opened, and we
been seen descending from them, the surprise and consternation of the rebels could
not have been greater. We charged over their works, capturing two guns* a large
amount of fixed ammunition, and some prisoners. All organization being lost in this
wild pursuit, every man fought for himself, and in his own manner. One man, private
William Carr, Company B, alone charged into the mass of retreating rebels, and
brought out eight prisoners, whom he took to the rear. One desperate attempt, only,
was made by the enemy to check our advance, but in the wild frenzy of battle we swept
everything before us. For over four miles we charged along their works, turning the
enemy out as the plough turns the furrow. . . . Thus ended the fight of Fisher's
Hill ; to which the history of this war furnishes nothing approaching a parallel ;— less
than five thousand men routing an army of over twenty thousand, and driving them
from a position which they boasted they could hold against one hundred thousand.
Our regiment took two guns and seven caissons. Our loss was nineteen men wounded.

On the ];3th the battle of Cedar Creek was fought, Lt. Col. Potter
commanding. The report says:

Our brigade and the Third were ordered to advance against them, to discover their
force. After some maneuvering for position, we moved forward under the severest
fire of shell, grape and canister, we had ever been exposed to. Our way lay across an
open field, and our regiment, being in direct range, received the whole fire. The shell
would strike the line sweeping down four or five men, leaving them either dead or
wounded. The regiment would close up these gaps, without a man's faltering. I never
saw the regiment behave more splendidly. We took position behind a stone fence
where we were below the range of their artillery, and a sharp fire of half an hour be-
gan. We had encountered Kershaw's whole division of Longstreet's Corps.

The Third Brigade, which advanced on the right of the pike, had received orders
to retire ; similar orders had been sent to us, but never reached us. We were not in a
position where we could see the movements of the other brigade. The enemy suddenly
threw a heavy force upon our flank and rear. The four right companies were swung
back to check this movement. The men executing this movement under a severe fire,
were as cool as on drill. Colonel Wells went to the right to see how this movement
of the army could have taken place; while returning, and just behind our colors, he
was struck by a ball. He threw up his hands, uttering an exclamation as of great pain.
I immediately sent an officer to help him from his horse. He would not be carried to

AND ITS PEOPLE 605

the rear, saying, 'Gentlemen, it is of no use; save yourselves.' We would not maintain
this unequal contest, and the order was given to retire — and our brave colonel was left
to die in the enemy's hands. . . . Thus gallantly fell one of the ablest officers in
the service, at a time when the honors he had so long deserved were about to be con-
ferred on him. . . . Our loss was very severe; of less than two hundred and fifty
men, who went into the fight, we had killed, one officer and eight men ; wounded, two
officers, (one of whom died,) and forty-six men; three officers and thirty-seven men
captured. This fight took place in presence of the whole army, and within range of
our artillery ; but not a gun was fired until we had been driven from the field. The
enemy did not pursue as they were within range of our guns.

On the 19th was fought the second battle of Cedar Creek, in which
one man was killed, nine wounded and 32 captured. The regiinent went
to Newton, Oct. 19, to guard a hospital and remain there until Nov. 10,
when it joined the main army at Kernstown, Dec. 18 it was ordered
to Washington. Since April 29 it had marched a thousand miles,
fought in nine battles and many skirmishes ; every officer except one
had been wounded, and nearly every man had been hit. The colonel,
major, two captains, three lieutenants and T3 men had been killed in
action ; the lieutenant-colonel, a captain and a lieutenant severely
wounded and taken prisoners; 29 other officers and 613 men wounded.
But eight officers and 302 men were fit for duty.

Fifty-first Regiment. — The Fifty-first, a nine months regiment,
recruited at Camp Wool under Col. Ward, sailed from Boston late in
November, 1862, under the command of Col. A. B. R. Sprague, and pro-
ceeded to North Carolina. In the first week they went into action. Col.
Sprague made the following report :

I reported with my command, seven hundred and seventy-eight rank and file, on
the Trent Road, in light marching order, at seven o'clock on the morning of Thursday,
the eleventh inst., remaining with the brigade en route till the afternoon of Friday,
when we were detached in company with two pieces of artillery, under command of
Captain Ransom, to guard the 'Beaver Creek Bridge,' the main road to Kinston, and
the road to Trenton, in rear of the advancing column. Receiving orders from Major-
General Foster, at half-past one o'clock on Sunday morning, to join the main force,
without delay, we marched at sunrise, having in charge twenty-one prisoners, (taken
by the cavalry on the main road to Kinston,) which were turned over to the provost-
marshal after our arrival at Kinston on Sunday evening.

We advanced with the brigade on Monday morning, arriving at the scene of action
at Whitehall about eleven o'clock, A. M. on Tuesday morning, and though not par-
ticipating in the engagement, were within range of the enemy's guns, on the right of
the artillery, which was engaged. At this point, in obedience to orders from Major-
General Foster, Lieutenant Sanderson, with a detachment, was detailed to examine
the river below the bridge, to ascertain the practicability of fording it. After a care-
ful examination of the river for nearly a mile. Lieutenant Sanderson reported that it
was not fordable. Tuesday afternoon, passing up with the main column on the left
bank of the Neuse, we bivouacked at night about twelve miles from Goldsboro'. On
Wednesday we were detailed to guard the baggage train, from which duty we were
relieved in the afternoon, when the train and troops were counter-marched, after the
burning of the railroad bridge by the advance. Keeping our place on the return, on

6o6 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we encamped on Saturday night near Deep GuUey,
and arrived at our barracks on the Trent, at eleven o'clock on Sunday morning. My
men were considerably jaded and foot-sore. The order in regard to pillaging and
foraging was enforced, and the men suffered in consequence of an insufficient supply of
meat. Taking into consideration the fact that this regiment has been but a week in the
field, and received their arms only two days before they had marching orders, I have
the honor to report that they behaved well during the entire march. None were killed,
none wounded, none missing.

In January, 1863, the regiment took part in various skirmishes. In
March it was on duty guarding the railroad between Newbern and More-
head City. Col. Sprague with Cos. B, C, D, H and I went out on expe-
dition May r. The regiment arrived at Fortress Monroe, June 28 ; the
regiment volunteered further service, proceeded to Baltimore, and was
employed in fatigue duty and hard marching. On the 5th six companies
under Lt. Col. Studley escorted 2,300 Rebel prisoners taken at Gettys-
burg from the railroad station to Ft. McHenry. The regiment searched
the houses of Baltimore for arms and seized thousands of guns, etc. On
July 6 the regiment went to Monacacy Junction, thence on the Tth to
Sandy Hook, where they were ordered to Maryland Heights. It was
to assist in cutting off the retreat of Gen. Lee. The enemy eluded his
pursuers. The regiment reached Worcester, July 21. In nine months
the loss was 130. The returning soldiers were warmly greeted ; a parade
followed by a banquet in Mechanics Hall was tendered to the regiment.
Mayor Lincoln made an address, and Col. Sprague replied.

Forty-second Regiment. — Company E, 42d Regt., was commanded
by Capt. Frederick G. Stiles and 1st Lieut. Augustus Ford. Thirty of the
men were also from this city. The regiment was recruited at Readville. Co.
E went to the front with the regiment, arriving in New York, Nov. 2,
and embarking on four transports for New Orleans, Co. E on board the
Charles Osgood, an unseaworthy old craft that was disabled by the first
gale and sought shelter in Cape May harbor. After having repairs made
at Philadelphia, the old boat started again on the 14th. and had to stop
for repairs at Key West, but finally reached her destination Jan. 1, 1863.
Co. E was stationed at Bayou Gentilly, on the Pontchartrain railroad on
the 26th. The company was afterward broken up into details in the ser-
vice in this section. Part of the company was in a fight on the 21st at
Lafourche Springs. The regiinent returned at the expiration of nine
months, arriving in Boston on Aug. 10, and was mustered out at Read-
ville, Aug. 20.

Fiftieth Regiment. — Company I of the oOth Regt. was from this city.
Capt. Nicholas Power was in command. It left Canij) Stanton at Box-
ford, Nov. 10, 1862, with the regiment and embarked Dec. 1 from New
York on the steamer New Brunswick, arriving at Baton Rouge on Dec.
16. After a period of service under Gen. Banks and doing some import-
ant picket duty, the company took part in an expedition to destroy a

AND ITS PEOPLE 607

bridge across Bayou Monticeno, April 9. The regiment took part in the
assault on Port Hudson, and later supported the batteries until the fort
was taken, July 9. The regiment returned home by steamer Omaha on
the Mississippi to Cairo, thence by rail to Boston, arriving Aug. 11. It
was mustered out Aug. 24.

Fifty-seventh Regiment. — The Fifty-seventh regiment, in which
Worcester was well represented, left the State in April, 1864, and fought
its way from the Wilderness to Hatcher's Run. From Jan. 1, 1865, to
March 25, it was at the siege of Petersburg, making a reconnoisance
towards Weldon in February. It took part in the repulse of Gordon,
March 25. Sergt. Maj. Pinkham captured the flag of the 57th North
Carolina during the fight. Maj. Doherty, who commanded, fell in action,
mortally wounded. From this time to Lee's surrender, the regiment
was constantly in active service. At the end of the war it was on duty
in Washington and at Tenallytown, Md., on provost duty, until August.
It was mustered out at Readville, Aug. 9.

Second Regiment Heavy Artillery. — Col. A. B. R. Sprague accepted
a commission as lieutenant-colonel in the Second Regiment of Heavy
Artillery, in which 94 men from this city enlisted. Between Sept., 1863,
and Jan. 8, 1864, the regiment left this State in detachments, and as
events proved, was never united. Four companies were at Norfolk, Va.,
in March ; two at Macon, Ga. ; Co. B at Newport, N. C. ; Co. C at More-
head City ; Cos E and F at Ft. Totten, N. C. ; Cos. G and H at Plymouth,
N. C. In April, Cos. G and H, including about 25 Worcester men, were
captured in an engagement at Plymouth. Of the 275 captured, but 35
rejoined the regiment early in 1865. The others were disabled or dead.
In Sept., 1864, the regiment had been reinforced by recruits and num-
bered 1,898 enlisted men. In January, 1865, there were six companies
at Newbern under Lt. Col. Sprague. Skirmishing from time to time,
marching and picketing, kept the detachment busily engaged. In June
it was sent to occupy forts at the mouth of Cape Fear River. It was
mustered out at Gallup's Island, Boston harbor, Sept. 20, 1865.

Fourth Regiment of Heavy Artillery. — The Fourth Regiment of
Heavy Artillery, enlisted for one year, and mustered into service in Au-
gust, 1864, contained 213 men from this city, most of whom were in Cos.
D, E and F. It served in the defense of Washington, and was mustered
out June 17, 1865.

First Battalion of Heavy Artillery. — There were 65 men from this
city in the First Battalion of Heavy Artillery, mostly in Co. F, raised for
service at Fort Warren. Co. F enlisted for one year. The various com-
panies were on coast duty in this State ; Co. F at Ft. Warren. It was
mustered out June 28, 1865.

Second Regiment of Cavalry. — Second Lieut. Edward W. Welling-
ton and 55 other men from this city were in the Second Regiment of
Cavalry, distributed in the various companies. They left the State in

6o8 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

detachments in the winter and spring of 1863. Col. Lowell, who com-
manded at first, was succeeded by Col. Crowninshield. In April the regi-
ment took part in three expeditions into the counties of Fauquier and
Loudon, Va. Skirmishes caused the loss of two warrant officers killed.
A band of Mosby's men was captured and much contraband property
destroyed in these raids. On July 6 the Second took part in an engage-
ment near Tenallytown, and the Rebels were driven into Rockville, Md.
During 21 days in August it was under fire, losing heavily. On Sept.
19 it took part in the battle of Opequan, and three days later at Snake
Mount; at Luray Court House; on Sept. 38 at Waynesboro, and Oct. 8
at Round Top Mountain. The next day "the handsomest purely cavalry
fight and victory in the campaign, the battle of Thorn's Brook or Wood-
stock Races," took place. Lomax was driven 20 miles. The regiment
was in the battle of Cedar Creek, in which Col. Lowell was mortally
wounded. From the beginning of 1865 to the end of the war the regi-
ment was actively engaged, doing valiant service, in the saddle con-
stantly, and under fire almost continually. It took part in the Grand
Review in W^ashington at the end of the war.

Fourth Regiment of Cavalry. — There were 24 Worcester men in the
Fourth Cavalry, mostly in Cos. E and F. They served in the Army of
the James in the spring of 1865. Cos. E and H were the first troops
to enter Richmond after Lee's surrender.

Fifth Regiment of Cavalry. — There were 25 men from this city in the
Fifth Cavalry, mustered in the spring of 1864. It was the only regiment of
colored cavalry from this State. It was in active service in the final
campaign in Virginia, and won distinction for bravery in many skirm-
ishes. After Lee's surrender the regiment was sent to Texas. In Nov.,
1865, it was mustered out at Gallup's Island. Col. Henry S. Russell was
the first commander.

The Civil War at Home. — Regardless of previous opinions, of party,
sect or race, the people of Worcester united patriotically in support of the
Union. From every pulpit, sermons urging men to enlist, denouncing
treason and secession, and often condemning slavery as the cause of
the Civil War, were preached from the beginning to the end of the
war. The editorials of the Spy, Transcript, Palladium and Times
rivalled each other in earnest, solemn, and substantial support of the
government. At the war meetings frequently held in Mechanics Hall, in
the City Hall, churches and other places of meeting, the most patriotic
and eloquent speeches were heard. The Spy struck the keynote of pop-
ular sentiment when it said: "Although war is to be dreaded, anarchy
is still worse, and the government should be upheld at any cost !" Even
in the first week of the Rebellion, however, it was felt and expressed
here that slavery must be abolished.

At a public meeting May 4, a committee was appointed to raise
funds for war purposes.

AND ITS PEOPLE 609

Serving for the Troops. — Before the first of May the ladies of the
city had begun to prepare clothing for the troops. Mrs. John
Boyden presided at a meeting in Central Church, when an organization
was effected for this purpose. Miss Martha LeBaron elected presi-
dent. The ladies of Central and Salem Street churches were at work
April 29. Worcester sent clothing in abundance to the soldiers on May
7. Even on Sundays the work continued. Maj. Theron E. Hall went
south May 15 in charge of a large quantity of clothing and other articles
for the troops. This work continued throughout the war. The contri-
butions of the women of the city to the comfort and preservation of the
health of soldiers in the field was invaluable.

Flag-raisings. — Throughout the city there were public flag-raisings
at the beginning of the war. A flag made by the ladies of New Wor-
cester was raised there with much ceremony, May 6, on a pole 100 feet
high. Speeches were made in the evening in Union Hall by Lorin Weth-
erell, Rev. Daniel Dorchester, John Deah, John Toulmin, Lyman Whit-
comb, Charles Hersey and others.

A flag was raised on the grounds of the Catholic Institute, May 9,
by the teachers and pupils of St. John Sunday School. Almost every
store and dwelling, shop and factory, was decorated with the stars
and stripes. The expression of loyalty by showing the colors con-
tinued throughout the war.

Visits of Regiments. — Often during the war regiments from other
sections of the state and from other states, passing through this city,
were entertained. The first instance was that of the First New Hamp-
shire, May 21, 1861. It was escorted to Mechanics Hall, welcomed by
the mayor, banquetted. Col. Tappan made a suitable reply.

Fast Days. — The old custom of fast days was revived during the
War. ■ President Lincoln and Gov. Andrew designated the first of these,
and it was appropriately observed here, Sept. 27, 1861. The attendance
in the churches was large ; places of business were closed all day.

Celebrating Victories. — At a meeting in Mechanics Hall, April 19,
1862, the Rebel flags captured at Newbern by Co.E of the 25th Regt.,were
presented to the city by Major McCafiferty, with the request that they
be deposited in the public library. The major took occasion to eulogize
Capt. Thomas O'Neil. (See biography). The mayor spoke and intro-
duced Rev. Horace James of the 25th. Earlier in the day, the scenes of
April 19, 1775, were duplicated as far as possible, the Highland Guards
and McClellan Guards representing the minutemen. On May 12 a
salute of 100 guns was fired on the Common to celebrate the capture of
Norfolk.

A Great War Meeting. — One of the most stirring meetings of the
war was held in Mechanics Hall, July 12, 1862, when the need of troops
was urgent, the fortunes of the Union at the lowest ebb. Mayor Aldrich
W.-I-39.

6io HISTORY OF WORCESTER

presided and Genera) Devens was the principal speaker. The venerable
ex-Gov. Lincoln was warmly welcomed and made a stirring address.
Rev. Mr. Richardson also spoke. The meeting favored a city bounty
of $To to recruits. James White offered to add a dollar to each recruit.
On July U the city fixed the bounty at $100 each.

A Committee of Safety. — Adopting the name of a Revolutionary war
tribunal, the great gathering in City Hall July W formed a "committee
of safety" consisting of 100 leading citizens, to take charge of the recruit-
ing. Rev. Mr. Richardson, Major McCafferty and General Devens were
again the speakers. The committee of safety worked through executive
committee of one from each ward, viz : P. Emory Aldrich, Dr. Merrick
Bemis, Lee Sprague, Walter Henry, Elliot Swan, Patrick O'Keefe,
Charles B. Pray, George M. Rice and Warren Williams. On the fol-
lowing Saturday, business was suspended in the city and a mass meet-
ing held on the Common. George M. Rice of Rice, Barton & Co., offered
an additional sum of nine dollars each to recruits of the shops of his firm.
Earle & Jones, Washburn & Moen, Washburn & Son and Albert Curtis
made the same offer to their employees.

Gov. Andrew's Appeal. — To further enlistments at this time. Gov.
Andrew came to Worcester and addressed a great mass meeting on the
Common, July 26. The mayor presided and Col. Wells of the 3-lth
Regt. also spoke. John B. Gough, the famous temperance lecturer, made
a brilliant address, presenting a most scathing denunciation of the south-
ern rebellion and of the institution of slavery.

The Freedom Club Meeting. — The meeting held under the auspices
of the Freedom Club of this city, an organization of Abolitionists, was
significant as showing the increasing support of the people to the anti-
slavery movement. The appeal was mainly for enlistments and support
of the government, but the resolutions declaring that "the time has
fully come for the government to proclaim liberty throughout all the
land ; to receive under its protection all slaves who shall come within
our lines and to employ, under its pledge of freedom, such of them as
are ready, as scouts, or pilots or spies or soldiers, to aid in subduing the
masters' rebellion." Hon. J. S. C. Knowlton presided and spoke ; Rev.
Mr. Richardson; Hon. Amasa Waters of No. Brookheld ; Hon. W. W.
Rice; John McCombe and Rev. Dr. Hill were the other, speakers. The
same speakers (except ]\Ir. Waters) with others appeared at another war
meeting in Mechanics Hall, Aug. 22.

Hon. Charles Sumner's Address. — For two hours Senator Charles
Sumner spoke at a war meeting in Mechanics Hall, Oct. 17, 1862, and the
meeting was described as a triumph. Nothing like it had been seen in
the city for years. Hon. A. H. Bullock presided. It was followed, Oct.
31, by another large gathering at which Mr. Bullock delivered one of the
ablest speeches of his career; Mayor .-Mdrich. supported by a hundred
vice-presidents, ])resided.

AND ITS PEOPLE 6ii

Manufacturing and Business. — Before the war Worcester had suf-
fered severely from business depression. The demand for war supplies
soon gave a wonderful stimulus to business and by the end of 1861, the
industries of the city were driven to capacity. Many of the manufac-
turers here took war contracts from the government. Fox & Mayo, for
instance, manufactured kerseys for the soldiers ; Nathan Washburn was
making iron for rifle barrels and had a contract for 150,000 musket bar-
rels; Osgood Bradley made gun carriages, forges, etc.; Wood & Light
and Thayer, Houghton & Co. manufactured machinery for the govern-
ment ; George Crompton was running his loom works night and day
making blankets ; Allen & Wheelock and Shepard, Lathe & Co. were
making firearms; Lucius W. Pond was building Ellsworth guns — light
riil'ed cannon of his own design.

Skilled labor was in great demand ; wages were high ; mechanics in
industries employed by the government felt their services were needed in
the shops and factories. The activit}^ in business thus tended to restrict
the supply of volunteers in places like W^orcester.

The Freed-Slave Commission. — To raise funds for the soldiers in the
field and to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation a Costume Prom-
enade Avas held in Mechanics Hall Feb. 23, 1863, by the Free-Slave Com-
mittee, in charge of Mrs. Ichabod Washburn. Mrs. Alonzo Hill, Mrs. F,
W. Paine, Mrs. William M. Bickford, Mrs. R. R. Shippen, Mrs. Merrill
Richardson, Mrs. B. F. Haywood, Mrs. Joseph Sargent and Mrs. John
Davis. Gen. B. F. Butler was a guest and made a brief address. The
sum of $700 was realized.

Drafting. — Early in 1863 it was realized that the country could
not be saved without greater military forces and that the volunteer
system of procuring troops had failed to furnish the needed men. Con-
scription w^as inevitable. But the draft law that went into effect July
1, 1863, was a poor measure. Drafted men were allowed exemption on
the payment of $300 or they could furnish substitutes.

Drafting began here July 11, S. S. Leonard, a blind man, drawing
the names. The result, announced late in August, showed that of 700
men drafted 182 were accepted; 1,752 were rejected as disabled; 231
exempted. Of the 182 accepted, 99 paid commutation, 49 sent substi-
tes and but eleven men went into service.

The work of recruiting w^ent on in the old way; numerous war meet-
ings were held. Committees were appointed to aid in the work of pro-
curing volunteers. Hon. Isaac Davis made a notable speech at a meet-
ing Nov. 21. The war commitee elected at this meeting appointed the
following executive committee: Dr. Merrick Bemis, T. W. Wellington,
Col. A. B. R. Sprague, Capt. Nicholas Power, George Crompton, Alzirus
Brown, Hon. P. Emory Aldrich, Maj. E. A. Harkness and Loring Goes.
Rev. Samuel Souther responded to the call at this time and enlisted at
the office of Lieut. Gird.

6i2 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Mr. Souther was one of the speakers at the war meeting Nov. 28 in
Mechanics Hall. Col. Homer B. Sprague, a former principal of the
high school of this city, who had commanded a Connecticut regiment
and led a famous charge at Port Hudson, "was replete with tiery and
patriotic eloquence." He said : "I have seen whigs, democrats and
republicans — white and black men — fight side by side under the same
starry flag and seen them buried in a common grave ; and in your bap-
tism of fire and blood, I have learned what no soldier of P'ort Hudson
will ever forget, that Massachusetts is earning immortal honors." Hon.
Isaac Davis and Rev. Edward A. Walker spoke. Mr. Walker offered a
piece of the original manuscript of "The Star Spangled Banner" to the
first recruit that came forward, and Thomas Glaster won the relic.

At another war meeting Dec. 1, Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Rev. Mr.
Souther, Rev. Mr. St. John, Col. Sprague and Hon. Peter C. Bacon, who
had given his sons to his country, were the speakers. At another meet-
ing, the next evening, Rev. David A. Wasson, and Gen. Calvin E. Pratt, a
former resident, spoke. On Dec. 4, Rev. Mr. Richardson, Hon. Henry
Chapin and Joseph Mason spoke. On the fifth, George M. Rice, Peter
C. Bacon, Maj. McCafferty, Rev. Dr. Hill, Joseph Chamberlain and John
G. Tobey were the speakers.

On the eighth Hon. W. W. Rice, Hon. P. E. Aldrich and others
spoke at a meeting at City Hall. Meetings were held also on the 10th,
12th, loth, 19th, 30th and 31st of December. In addition to speakers
already mentioned. Rev. Mr. Banvard, Lieut. Gird, Julius Tucker and
Rev. Mr. Willis added their appeals for recruits. Judge Ira M. Barton
made a wonderful speech on the 10th and Gen. Devens made one of the
greatest speeches of the war at the meeting in Mechanics Hall on the
12th, when Hon. Edward Everett also spoke.

Notwithstanding all the eloquence and influence of war meetings
editorial urgency, and pulpit persuasion, and despite the patriotism of
the soldiers reenlisting at the front, the city lacked 34T of its quota in the
beginning of 1864. Public meetings continued. One was held in the
City Hall, Jan. 2 in the afternoon; another in the evening; another next
day in Mechanics Hall, though the day was Sunday. At this meeting
Judge Charles Allen and Maj. McCafferty and John B. Gough were the
speakers. The results were shown next day, wdien fifty men enlisted.
By the sixth of January the quota was full and the city rejoiced.

Furloughs. — Every kindness and consideration was shown to the
soldiers on furlough, especially to the veterans who reenlisted the city
showed its appreciation lavishly. In the winter of 1864-5 a hearty recep-
tion was given to some of the furloughed men of the 25th with a banquet
in City Hall. Of 650 men in this regiment 450 reenlisted. The men of
the regiment passed highly complimentary resolutions, expressing their
love and appreciation of the chaplain. Rev. Horace James. A more elab-
orate celebration attended the return of the regiment on furlough Feb. 19.

AND ITS PEOPLE 613

Capt. J. M. Tucker and Lt. John Goodwin were given swords at a recep-
tion on Jan. 35th.

The 21st Regt. received a great ovation, Jan. 31. There was a
parade and banquet at which Col. Hawkes, Cok Clark, and Mon. A. H.
Bulk)ck made appropriate speeches.

The Dale Hospital. — The buildings and grounds of the Female Col-
lege were taken for hospital purposes and opened in September, 1864.
Soldiers were sent here for convalescence. Fourteen additional buildings
were erected. In October several hundred patients were received. Dr.
C. N. Chamberlain afterward of Lawrence, Mass., was in charge, assisted
by the staff of army surgeons. Charles H. Hazelton was hospital stew-
ard. The inauguration of the hospital was formally celebrated Feb. 22,
1865. A flag presented by the ladies of the city was raised ; addresses
were made by Gov. Andrew, Hon. A. H. Bullock and Dr. Warren Web-
ster. A total of 1,182 sick and wounded were admitted to the hospital.

The Fourth of March. — In honor of President Lincoln's reelection
a mass meeting was held in Mechanics Hall at the time of his second
inauguration. Alayor Ball presided and spoke. Other addresses were
made by Rev. Mr. Richardson, Hon. P. Emory Aldrich, Hon. Henry
Chapin and Rev. T. E. St. John. The meeting was filled with the spirit
of hope and rejoicing.

Lee's Surrender. — Bells were rung and the shop whistles shrieked and
cannons fired when the news of Lee's surrender reached this city. The peo-
ple filled the streets and cheered on the afternoon of April 7th. In the even-
ing every house and place of business was brilliantly illuminated. The
news of Lee's surrender, April 9, reached here about midnight. A hundred
guns were fired on the Common; John Boyden's "Secesh bell," which
rang for every Union victory, was sounded ; people left their beds and
assembled in the streets, shouting and cheering till they were hoarse.
Bonfires were lighted in every part of the city. The fire department
turned out, leading a procession that visited the leading citizens of the
city. Speeches of congratulation and rejoicing were made. The cele-
bration continued until dawn.

Through the next day and night the victory was celebrated and
many shops, and factories were not operated. Business was entirely
suspended in the afternoon. The schools had a holiday. A hundred
guns were fired at noon on the Common, 100 more at Quinsigamond
and 200 at the Dale Hospital. There were parades of coal carts at noon ;
of the fire department at two o'clock, leading the German Turners, the
Frohsinns and other organizations. There was a noise like the old-
fashioned Fourth of July throughout the day. In the evening there was
another general illumination, and throughout the city meetings were
held to give expression to the great joy and relief at the successful term-
ination of the Civil War. The men of the Crompton Loom Works

6i4 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

paraded. There was a big demonstration at Webster Square, and a
meeting was held there.

The Fourth of July Celebration. — A more formal and elaborate cele-
bration of the success of Union arms and the end of the Rebellion was
planned for July 4, 1865, designed to surpass anything of the kind ever
held in the city. The following committee was appointed by the city
council May 30 : Mayor Ball ; councilmen — Harrison Bliss, E. C. Cleve-
land, William E. Starr, George R. Peckham, Salisbury Hyde; citizens —
James B. Blake, J. D. Daniels, Henry A. Marsh, Alzirus Brown, John
S. Baldwin, Lucius W. Pond and George Sumner. Hon. Phinehas Bann
was chairman, Charles A. Chase, secretary.

The city was decorated profusely. An arch over Main Street was
erected at Harrington Corner, bearing mottoes: "The Heart of the
Commonwealth greets the Defenders of the Union" and "All Honor to
Our Gallant Army and Navy," and a list of the battles in which
Worcester men had taken part. A memorial arch was built opposite the
post office by the city, bearing the mottoes : "In Alemory of the Fallen,"
and "Give me the Death of Those Who for their Country Die." A rustic
arch was built across Main Street at School Street and another arch
opposite Stephen Salisbury's house at High and Street, with the mot-
toes: "To be Free is to be Strong" and "Reap the Fields Your Valor
Won." Joseph Chase erected an arch on Harvard Street, bearing the
inscription : "Your Valor and Devotion Have Saved the Flag —
Thanks." At the residence of Hartley Williams the decorations were
adorned with the motto : "Soldiers, You have Crushed Treason, Ended
the Rebellion, and Saved the Country — Welcome." George Crompton
built a costly and beautiful arch on Green St. Charles \Y. Smith erected
a very beautiful arch on Elm Street. There were many others.

Decorations of dwellings and places of business were extremely
elaborate. The newspapers of the day gave good descriptions of them.
Mottoes abounded.

James B. Blake, chief marshal, led a procession composed of all the
veterans of the city, the members of each regiment forming in battalions
in order of seniority. Col. Josiah Pickett commanded the military sec-
tion. The Worcester City Guard and State Guards, No. 1, under Col.
D. M. Woodward, did escort duty. Four floats entitled "Peace through
Victory," "Goddess of Liberty," "Pen and Sword," and "Union" were
in the procession.

The dinner in Mechanics Hall, which had been profusely decorated
with bunting, flags and mottoes for the occasion, was the crowning
event of the day. Col. Pickett afterward thanked the people for the
reception to the soldiers, saying:

Mayor Ball and Citizens of Worcester: — On behalf of these brave men, who, after
conquering treason, re-establishing the government on a secure foundation, and se-

AND ITS PEOPLE 615

curing the blessings of liberty to all, have now returned to you in triumph, I tender
you my most sincere thanks for this magnificent ovation, and the honor you have be-
stowed on them this day.

I can assure you it gives us the greatest gratification to know that our services are
so highly appreciated /by our friends and fellow citizens at home, and even as our con-
duct as soldiers has elicited your unqualified approval, so may we ever continue to
merit your confidence as citizens, maintaining the true principles of right and justice,
and always ready to respond to the call of duty.

The other speakers were Rev. George S. Ball of Upton, Col. William
S. Lincoln, Gen. A. B. R. Sprague.

fn addition to the military parade, the pupils of the public schools
had a parade and there was a Trades Procession, led by the fire depart-
ment, and followed by civil organizations, many in their elaborate uni-
forms. In the evening the illumination was general.

Assassination of Lincoln. — When the news of the assassination ot
Lincoln reached this city, Mayor Phinehas Ball issued a proclamation
dated April 15, 1865, advising that business be suspended, the city draped
in mourning, and calling a public meeting in Mechanics Hall. On the
morning of the 15th, the city council met at seven. News of the death
of the president came about eight. The bells of the city tolled from
ten to eleven.

Mechanics Hall was filled with a grief-stricken audience. Hon. A.
H. Bullock presided. Rev. Dr. Sweetser prayed and read the 4Gth psalm.
The choirs sang hymns ; Rev. Mr. Richardson read a hymn ; and the
meeting adjourned without speeches.

The next day was Sunday, and every sermon was devoted to the
life and character of the martyred president. The day of Lincoln's
funeral was observed as a day of fasting; the bells were tolled from
11.30 to 12, and from two to three. Flags were at half-mast ; the schools
were closed ; places of business and houses were draped in black ; even
locomotives wore mourning emblems. Minute guns were fired from two
to three by a detachment of the State Guards. Services were held in
all the churches.

The sorrow of the city was expressed in resolutions drafted by Hon.
Levi Lincoln and adopted by the city council, as follows:

"Resolved, That we bow in humble submission to the Divine Providence which has
permitted the beloved and honored Chief Magistrate of the nation, Abraham Lincoln,
to be taken by the hand of violence from the scenes of his labors, and from the scenes
of our national triumphs, at a moment when all eyes were turned to him for the firm-
ness, wisdom and discretion, which had guided us through four years of civil war, and
which, we believed, would guide us as safely through all the difficulties of restoration
and stability to this government.

Resolz'ed, That we desire to record our devout gratitude to God, that he granted
to the people of the United States, in this historical crisis, a Chief Magistrate whose
character becomes a rich and lasting legacy to this and succeeding generations ; whose
pure and Christian life, whose patriotic aims and purposes, whose temper blending the

6i6 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

qualities of justice and mercy, whose conduct as a ruler acting on his own convictions,
but not neglecting the wise counsels of others, will transmit his name and his fame sec-
ond only in the line of presidents to those of the beloved and lamented Washington.

Resolved, That in this hour of national bereavement, when the first impulses of
all loyal hearts are those of dismay and terror, it now, more than ever before, becomes
the duty of every true citizen to stand, with renewed firmness and courage, by the
government and Union of our fathers, to the end that all the traitors of this country,
and all the people of the world, shall perceive and know that the death of our presi-
dent cannot retard, for one hour, the majestic power and progress of our government;
and that its victory, over all its enemies, whether at home or abroad, is not less certain
now than when Abraham Lincoln stood in life at its helm.

Resolved, That we turn with pride and joy to the fact, that while the nation is
bereaved, its history is not interrupted ; that under our glorious constitution one presi-
dent succeeds another, as surely and as grandly as one day's sun succeeds the preced-
ing ; that when Lincoln died Johnson succeeded to his place, that our government goes
on, our armies march to victory, and our history moves on its sublime mission as surely
to-day as when the late Chief Magistrate was witness with Grant to the fall of Rich-
mond ; and that we call upon our fellow-citizens to return from the scenes of mourn-
ing to rejoice again under the national flag, to render the encouragement and support
to President Johnson which they rendered to President Lincoln, and to cultivate, after
the hour of gloom, sentiments of courage and cheerfulness, and faith that Almighty
God has in store for the United States a future of perpetual beneficence and glory.

Resolved, That throughout the length and breadth of the land, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, and from the northern lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, there can be but one
nation ; and the whole people must be free.

Memorial services were held June 1, 1865, in Mechanics Hall and
in the various churches, in accordance with President Johnson's procla-
mation. The great audience in the hall gathered in the afternoon ; the
"hushed quiet appearance of the vast assembly spoke unmistakably of
the awe and reverence which impressed all classes of the community."
Distinguished citizens sat on the platform and a choir composed of the
Mozart Society and choirs from the churches sang anthems under the
direction of B. D. Allen. Mayor Ball presided. Hon. A. H. Bullock,
then Speaker of the House, delivered a eulogy that took rank among
the best delivered on that occasion in the country.

Suregons in the Service. — Dr. Oramel Martin of this city went to
the front with the Third Battalion of Rifles and was later appointed
brigade surgeon with rank of major. He had charge of a hospital near
St. Louis having 12,000 patients, and was afterward medical director at
Ft, Scott, Kansas. In 1862 he had charge of the Pacific Hospital, St.
Louis, and was later medical director of cavalry in Mississippi. Later he
was surgeon of the board of enrollment for the Eighth District and
served to the end of the war.

Dr. Joseph N. Bates, surgeon of the 15th Regt., was at Ball's Bluff;
resigned July 17, 1862, on account of ill health.

Dr. J. Marcus Rice went out with the 25th as surgeon, Sept. 16, 1861;
was wounded in the chest at Roanoke Island; captured, Oct. 1863, near
Newbern, and confined in Libby ; returned to his regiment after five

AND ITS PEOPLE 617

months, and served three years; was later staff surgeon. He was at
one time the medical director of the 18th Army Corps, and later medical
inspector of the Army of the James. He ranked as major.

Dr. Samuel Flagg, assistant surgeon of the 25th, served from July
81, 1861, to Aug. 9, 1863.

Dr. Horace Mecorney was assistant surgeon of the 25th, Sept. 20 to
July 15, 1863.

Chaplains. — Rev. Charles T. Canfield was chaplain of the 36th from
Aug. 28, 1862, to Oct., 1863.

Rev. Gilbert Cummings was chaplain of the 51st.

Rev. Horace James, pastor of the Old South, resigned to become
chaplain of the 25th Regt., entering the service Oct. 28, 1861, and serv-
ing until Apr. 27, 1861:; was afterward assistant quartermaster of Mass.
Vols. He was afterward pastor of the 1st Cong. Church of Lowell, and
an editor and proprietor of the Congregationalist.

Worcester in the Navy. — In the Civil War this city contributed but
few men to the navy, though the city was credited, in accordance with the
rules, with 160 men. No records are available from which a list of
natives or residents of Worcester in the navy may be secured.

Commodore George S. Blake, son of Hon. Francis, was born here
but spent most of his life in the service of his country. He was appointed
midshipman Jan. 1, 1818; lieutenant 1827; commander, Feb. 27, 1847;
captain Sept. 4, 1855. He was superintendent of the Naval Academy
from 1858 to 1865. He successfully resisted the attempt of the Rebels
to seize the academy early in 1861.

Bancroft Ghirardi was born in New Orleans but spent his youth
here. He attained high rank in the navy after the war and did dis-
tinguished service during and after the war.

George M. Rice Jr. entered the navy as master's mate on the Min-
nesota; was an officer on the flagship Hartford at Mobile and was
wounded there. He continued in the navy after the war; died of yel-
low fever in April, 1868, returning from Cuba.

Charles P. Rice of this city entered the Naval Academy in 1859";
served through the Civil War; was on the ship Brooklyn at Mobile;
rose to high rank after the war.

George D. Upham, son of Dea. Joel W., followed the sea before
the war ; was appointed sailing master in the navy early in the war and
was engaged in the pursuit of the Rebel Commissioners, Mason and
Slidell; commanded a steamer carrying suppUes; resigned as lieutenant
soon after Lee's surrender.

Capt. J. C. Dutch of Worcester commanded the U. S. barque
Kingfisher in 1863 in St. Helena Sound, and did much valuable service.

Colored Troops. — Some colored men from this city enlisted in the
regiment of Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island ; 15 were in Col. Robert G.
Shaw's regiment, and live in the 55th Mass., of which Lt. Col. William

6i8 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Nutt of Xatick, father of the Charles Nutt of this city, was commander
at the close of the war. There were 22 in the Fifth Cavalry and others
in various regiments.

The Soldiers' Relief Society. — The first annual report of the Soldiers'
Relief Society, which was organized to systematize the work of the
women of the city to supply clothing and other articles for the troops,
showed receipts in cash of only $1,229.61. But the money was a mere
fraction of the aid. It was used in purchasing material, and the greater
part of the material as well as the work was contributed. Xot only
clothing, but food of all kinds, and useful articles, too numerous to be
mentioned, were sent to the soldiers. The next annual report showed
the sum of $2,769.67 in cash received, besides the proceeds of the Wor-
cester County Fair, Oct. 21-3, amounting to $6,296.36. In 1663-i Mrs.
Charles Washburn was president. For the year ending Oct. 1, 1864, the
cash receipts were $4,130.39, three-quarters of which was realized from a
fair, held in Oct., 1863. But there was a vast quantity of food and cloth-
ing forwarded in 1862-3-4. The last report Oct. 9, 1865, shows receipts
of $6,793.56. It was estimated that the value of goods sent to the troops
by and through this society was $30,000, not considering the value of the
time of the workers.

The Soldiers' Rest. — In accordance with the custom adopted else-
where rooms known as "The Soldiers Rest" were opened by the Ladies
of the Relief Committee at No. 4 Foster Street, July 7, 1862, for the care
of sick and wounded men passing through the city. Soldiers were not
expected to remain there more than 24 hours. Charles W. Freeland gave
the use of the quarters; Thomas C. Bond was in charge. In 1862 the
Rest cared .for 71 soldiers; in 1863 for 72; in 1864 about 800 and in
1865 about 1,400. No accurate record was kept. This institution was
of inestimable service at times.

The Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — The first meeting in the
interests of the Christian Commission appears to have been that held
Dec. 2, 1862. Hon. Isaac Davis presided and addresses were made by
Hon. Edward S. Tobey, Rev. ]\Ir. Alexander and Rev. Dr. ]\IcAuley of
Philadelphia; the following committee was chosen for this city: Hon.
Isaac Davis, George M. Rice, Philip L. Moen, David Whitcomb and
Frederick A. Clapp. Another meeting was held in Old South Church,
Feb. 17, 1863, when the sum of $450 was collected for the purposes of
the Commission.

The Sanitary Commission reported receipts of $1,322.37 on March
3, 1864. Meetings were held in various churches from time to time and
collections taken for the commissions.

Edmund M. Barton, for many years the librarian of the American
Antiquarian Society and now librarian emeritus, was for two years agent
of the Sanitary Commission. He left here May 9, 1863, visited the hos-
pitals in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington and

AND ITS PEOPLE 619

reached the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac May 2G, continu-
ing his duties there to the end of the war. The commission of Mr. Bar-
ton as Relief Agent of the U. S. Sanitary Commission was dated July
21, 1863, under the order of the Secretary of War, June 15, 1861. On the
field of battle and in hospitals he worked with untiring energy and zeal.
Extracts from letters of Mr. Barton are to be found in Marvin's history
(p. 409). Perhaps no man in this city contributed more to relieving
sufifernig during the war than Mr. Barton.

Visiting the Troops. — The people at home were kept in close touch
with the doings in the field, not onh^ through the newspapers by means
of the newly developed telegraphic service, and letters from their cor-
respondents, but by visits of citizens bent on providing food, clothing,
comforts and necessities. Some of the visits have been mentioned.
Mayor Aldrich and Henry S. Washburn took money and supplies in
Sept., 1862; Alzarius and J. Stewart Brown soon afterward took money
and stores to the troops. These and many other visitors were warmly
welcomed by the grateful soldiers.

Prisoners of War. — Marvin collected a small list of Worcester men
who were confined in Rebel prisons : Amos E. Stearns of the 25th ;
Martin McCue of the 25th ; George Wellington of the 2d hvy. Art., who
died at Andersonville. It is impossible to prepare a complete list of the
prisoners, though the rosters of the various regiments show that there
were hundreds of Worcester men who suffered the torture of priva-
tion and famine in southern war camps and prisons.

Nurses. — At the beginning of the war, women were not welcomed in
any form of service, even nursing, but as time went on they came to be
an important part of the hospital service. The first to volunteer for this
work in Worcester were : Mrs. Helen Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth Gird, Mrs.
Susan Ware, Miss Elizabeth Wheeler, Miss Julia M. Goddard (later wife
of Rev. Mr. Austin) and Mrs. Susan E. Alger. Three of them were
at McDougall Hospital, Ft. Schuyler, N. Y. Mrs. Alger had charge of
57 beds. Mrs. E. M. Rice, wife of Dr. Marcus Rice, acted as nurse
through the greater part of the war.

Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, was by far the most dis-
tinguished woman of the Civil War period. Her home was in Oxford,
but she had many friends and relatives here and seemed to belong to this
city. This is not the place for a biography of this noble woman, but it
is proper to say that her example stimulated the men and women of this
city to greater efforts for the relief of the sick and wounded during the
war, and that it has continued with increasing measure year by year to
the present time, as shown by the amazing response to the appeal of the
Red Cross at the beginning of American preparation to enter the Euro-
pean War in 1917.

Aid to Freedmen. — Early in the war a committee of women was
formed to furnish aid to the slaves that came into the Union lines. This

620 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

committee consisted of Mrs. Ichabod Washburn, president ; ]\Irs. John
Davis, vice-president ; Mrs. Edward Earle, treasurer ; Mrs. Theo." Brown,
secretary, and Mrs. E. L. Barnard, Mrs. J. Aldrich, Mrs. James C. Morse,
Mrs. L. B. Witherby, Mrs. Edwin Moody, Mrs. Samle P. Lee, Miss
Fanny Brown, Mrs. Jason Putnam, Mrs. B. W. Perkins and Mrs.
Lemuel Moss. Clothing and supplies came to the committee from vari-
ous churches and individuals, and some money. A mass meeting was
held in Mechanics Hall, July 17, 1863, when Rev. Horace James and oth-
ers spoke in behalf of the freedmen. Hon. A. H. Bullock presided ; John

B. Gough and others spoke. Meetings were held from time to time in
the churches, and collections taken. By October 186-1 the society had
spent in its work over $4,000, besides sending large quantities of food,
clothing, reading matter, etc. For the year ending Oct. 14, 1865, the
receipts amounted to $2,491.01. The contributions continued, as well as
the needs of the society, for some time after the war. The work was
finally taken over by the Freedmen's Bureau under Gen. O. O. Howard.

Early in 1865, in addition to the receipts of this society, the sum
of $2,568.40 was raised here by Col. N. G. Taylor for white refugees and
loyal sufferers in East Tennessee.

Home Guards. — The past members of the Worcester Light Infantry
formed a body of Home Guards, April 24, 18G1, appointing D. Waldo
Lincoln captain; Henry W. Conklin, W\ A. Williams, Putnam W. Taft
and Ivers Phillips, lieutenants.

Two days later, the City Guards veterans effected a similar organi-
zation under George W. Ward, captain ; E. A. Wood, William A. Smith,

C. B. Whiting and John Boyden, lieutenants.

The Veteran Light Infantry Guards gave a reception to the return-
ing company of Light Infantry, Aug. 3, 1861, Capt. Lincoln presiding.

The Home Guards were not called upon for service and their useful-
ness was perhaps best shown in encouraging the spirit of patriotism, by
aiding enlistment. They marched in the military funerals and were
active in arranging receptions to the soldiers returning on furlough or
after muster-out. The home guards disbanded June 16, 1863.

The State Guard. — The State Guard, under an act of 1863, super-
seded the Home Guard. The company of State Guard was organized
here May 29 with Col. Ivers Phillips as captain; Capt. Dana H. Fitch,
first lieut. ; John R. Green, 2d lieut.

Ivers Phillips, William Dickinson, J. H. Renchley,

Dana H. Fitch, Isaac Davis, John Rice, 2d,

John R. Green, John D. Baldwin. John S. Clark,

John Boyden. Tosei)h Pratt. Simeon Clapp,

Henry Phelps, William E. Starr, R. R. Shepard,

Hcaly Baker, Putnam W. Taft, A. L. Mason,

Thomas Peirce, William B. Taber, A. G. Walker,

Samuel Houghton, John Barnard, J. H. Haven,

Joel Davis, D. C. Tourtelott, Alfred Parker,

Allen Harris, PIdward Clark, Seba Carpenter,

AND ITS PEOPLE

621

James A. Whipple,

E. M. Caulkins,
William C. Clarke,
William H. Towne,
William S. Jenks,
D. W. Jones,
Alfred Holden,

C. W. Rice,
David Manning,
James Galloway,
Hiram French,
Nathaniel B. Parkhurst,
Lewis A. Rawson,
Benjamin Barber,
Elliott Swan,
Alexander Thayer,
Courtland Newton,
L. B. Brigham,
Daniel Stratton,
A. L. Burbank,

F. P. Hutchins,
A. G. Hinds,
Samuel W. Kent,
Edwin Morse,
Henry A. Denny,
Joseph Dennis,
John J. Bigelow,
Charles Nason,
George C. Taft,
Josiah G. Perry,
Jasper Tucker,

Samuel Souther,
Joseph Boyden,
Dexter H. Perry,
Lemuel Houghton,
Tames H. Osgood,
M. V. Warner,
Charles H. Harvey,
B. F. Nowell,
E. G. Watkins,
Simeon Taylor,
Moses Spooner.
Otis Blood,
Earl Warner,
J. D. Lovell,
Silas Bigelow,
J. E. Wood,
Samuel Tourtellott,
Oliver W. Claflin,
E. G. Partridge,
E. B. Crawford,
T. F. Taft,
Erastus Fisher,
Charles L. Knowlton,
John Goulding,
Jonathan Day,
J. B. Lawrence,
Jonathan Carey,
Simeon Thompson,
Calvin Dyer.
T. P. Wheelock,

H. P. Nichols,
Peter Geno,
Caleb Dana,
E. E Al)bott,
T. W. Wellington,
Henry H. Chamberlin,
David Gleason,
William P. Daniels,
H. C. Fisk,
W. Mecorney,
S. D. Tourtellott,
Charles W. Smith,
John Pollard,
Albert Curlif,
T. E. St. John,
E. M. Hosmer,
Edwin Harrington,
Charles Goodale,
Aaron Goodale,
Nathaniel R. Parkhurst,
Asa M. Allen,
Walter Bigelow,
J. W. Jordan,
George A. Chamberlain,
Henry R. Keith,
Abraham Fitts,
Stephen P. Twiss,
W. Richmond,
Charles B. Pratt,
J. H. Samson.

More joined later; prominent citizens and various clergymen were
elected honorary members. The guard's principal duty was the mel-
ancholy one of attending frequent military funerals. During the disaf-
fection over the draft, the Guard performed guard duty for the provost
marshal. In July, 1863, a detachment of the guards escorted drafted
men to Boston.

The Guard escorted Gov. Andrew and the Council from the rail-
road station to the Bay State House Oct. 15. The next day, on invita-
tion of Gov. Gilmore of New Hampshire, they went to Manchester, N.
H., and were royally entertained by the Amoskeag Veterans. They vis-
ited Fitchburg Jan. 11, 1864, and enjoyed a banquet and some good
speaking. At the receptions to the 21st and 25th regiinents on furlough
in February the Guards did escort duty. They attended the funerals
of Dea. Allen Harris, Lt. Col. Green, Maj. Dexter F. Parker, Capt.
Thomas O'neil and Adjt. McConville. Almost every week a delegation
or the entire company marched in these funeral processions.

At the first anniversary of the organization, celebrated at Webster
Park, a flag was presented to the Guards by Hon. Ira M. Barton in
behalf of the ladies of the city. Capt. Phillips received the flag and
entrusted it to the color sergeant, John Boyden, who spoke feelingly. In
his speech afterward Capt. Boyden stated that this was the first com-
pany of State Guard organized in the state. Col. Wetherell spoke for
Gov. Andrew. Other speakers were: Hon. D. Waldo Lincoln, mayor;

622 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Col. A. J. Wright, capt. of the 3d Co. State Guard of Mass.; Hon. Isaac
Davis, Rev. Dr. Hill and Rev. Messrs. Richardson, Walker, Barnard
and Shippen.

Capt. Phillips entertained the company at his home in Jan., 1865 ;
an excursion was made to Springfield, Feb. 7 and the U. S. armory
inspected, a collation served and much after-dinner speaking heard.

Lt. Dana H. Fitch succeeded Capt. Phillips May 30, 1865; John
R. Greene was elected 1st lieut. and Healy Baker, 2d lieut.

The Guard attended a flag-raising in Grant Square, July 1, 1865, and
was entertained at the home of T. W. Wellington. In the evening the
members met Admiral Farragut at the residence of C. S. Messenger. Its
existence came to an end in 1866 when the act authorizing its formation
was repealed. But a new charter was granted by the legislature in the
spring of 186 T and the Guard continued for many years. After the reor-
ganization. Col. Ivers Phillips was chosen captain; Healy Baker and
Charles H. Harvey, lieuts. It was divided into senior and junior com-
panies afterward, and in 18T0 S. V. Stone was major commanding; John
R. Greene and George E. Barton, captains.

Dr. Samuel Foster Haven, Jr., son of the librarian of the American
Antiquarian Society, was a graduate of Harvard, 1852, and studied med-
icine under Dr. Henry Sargent and in the Tremont Street Medical Class
in Boston, and in his senior year was house physician in the Massa-
chusetts General Hospital. He studied abroad 1855-7 at London, Paris,
Vienna and Berlin. On his return he began to practice in Boston, remov-
ing in the spring of 1858 to this city, making a specialty of opthalmology.
He was appointed assistant surgeon of the 15th Regt. and served about
18 months before he died. He believed that surgeon's place was on the
field of battle and there he was to be found. He was promoted surgeon
of his regiment. His services at the Battle of Antietam were especially
heroic. He was mortally wounded by the fragment of a shell, Dec. 13,
1863. His body was brought home and a military funeral held here.
(See p. 463 Marvin's history for the memorial by William S. Davis).

Dr. William T. Going, a native of this city, son of Rev. Dr. Going, a
Baptist clergyman, died in the service Oct. 23, 1861, at Springfield, Ohio,
aged 41 y. He was in the 17th Ohio Regt.

Gen. George B. Boomer was a son of Rev. J. B. Boomer, of this city,
and was educated at Worcester Academy. He lost his life in the service
and his body was brought home. The funeral, June 23, 1863, was
attended by the city council. State Guard, Highland Cadets, Gen. Dev-
ens and Col. Wetherell, among other military officers. Gen. Boomer
raised a regiment in Missouri. He was wounded at the Battle of luka
and when he recovered was given command of a brigade by Gen. Grant,
under whom he served from that time until he died. He was struck
by a Rebel bullet, May 22, 1863, at the Battle of Champion Hill. He
was an exceedingly brave, efficient and patriotic officer.

AND ITS PEOPLE 623

Lieut. John D. Mirick in May, 1863, was commissioned 2cl lieut. of
the 1st Regt. No. Carolina Vols, (colored) ; he was soon made 1st lieut.;
wounded at the battle of Olustee, Fla. He lingered eight days. He had
served in the 25th Regt.

Maj. Dexter Franklin Parker. He was b. in Boston, Aug. 2, 1828.
His parents moved to Milford and died when he was young. He made
his own way after the age of fourteen and attended Hopkinton Academy
several terms. In 1850 he came to this city and followed the trade of
boot-cutter. In 1853 he m. (2) a daughter of Maj. Thos. Pierce. Grad-
ually he became known as a public speaker of ability and as a writer for
various publications. He was elected representative in 1856, 1857 and
1860; state senator 1858-9. In early life a Democrat, he joined the new
Republican party, when it was formed. He was "decidedly the work-
ing-man of the session" and one of the most prominent legislators while
in the General Court. In debate he was specially strong. He had pre-
pared from the records of various towns in the county a history of
industries. He went to Boston to enlist in the Mexican War at the
age of sixteen, but was rejected. Then he worked his passage to New
Orleans, where he was again rejected. When the call for arms came in

1861, he went alone to Washington, joining the Worcester Light Infan-
try when it arrived soon afterward. He was made brigade quarter-
master at the end of three months, with the rank of lieutenant; after-
ward commissioned captain on the stafif of Gen. Couch ; then major in
the 10th Regt. He was wounded at Spottsylvania and died from the
wound. May 28, 1864. His body was brought home and a very impres-
sive military funeral held, June 4.

Capt. William Batchelder Bacon was a son of Hon. Peter C. Ba-
con ; entered the service as lieutenant of the 13th Regt. at the age of
17 yrs. in 1861; was commissioned captain in the 34th Regt. in the sum-
mer of 1862. He met his death in action, May 15, 1864. He was dis-
tinguished for bravery in battle.

Lieut. Frank Bacon served in the 3d Battalion Rifles in 1861, and
later enlisted in the Fifteenth; was commissioned lieut. in the 101st
N. Y. ; was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville, in Mav, 1864.

Major Harrison W. Pratt was the first man to offer his service to
the government in the Civil War in this city; enlisted and marched with
the Sixth. He was appointed major of the 36th, when it was organized,
and was its commander when he fell mortally wounded at the Battle of
Fisher's Hill, in Sept., 1863. His body was brought home and buried
with military honors Oct. 2.

Lieut. Henry Daniels and his brother Myron enlisted July 15, 1864.
Both served in the siege of Vicksburg and both fell in the Wilderness.

Lieut. E. Dexter Cheney, w^hen the 51st Regt. was formed here in

1862, and his comrades Coe and Childs, both also killed in the service,
joined; afterward he enlisted in the 57th and was commissioned captain

624 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

of Co. B. He was killed before Petersburgh, his body brought home
and buried here, July 28, 186-i.

Sergt. George E. Barnard was promoted sergeant for conspicuous
bravery in battle; he was in every engagement with his company (E
of 15th Regt.) ; badly wounded at Ball's Bluff; returned to fight in
Gettysburg. He was the last man killed in his regiment.

Capt. Joseph W. Gird's father was a graduate of West Point and
later professor of mathematics in Louisiana College. Capt. Gird was
born in Jackson, La., Oct. 21, 1839. The family moved to Illinois when
he was a boy and when his father died, the mother came to this city. He
attended the Worcester High School and was studying law when he
enlisted in the 25th Regt., a private in Co. F. He received a commis-
sion as lieutenant in the 36th Regt., and served in the Kentucky cam-
paign. He was commissioned captain of the 5Tth, and by his earnest
and effective work was mainly instrumental in hastening the organization
of that command. He was a brave, faithful and capable officer and
served his country well. "With abilities which gave promise of great
usefulness" and an exemplary character, "he offered himself as a sacrifice.
None went forth with more devotion to country, with more unselfish
desire to promote the welfare of the soldier or with more faith in the
triumph of our armies and the principles for which they contended, than
Captain Gird," wrote Marvin. He was struck by a bullet in the head,
May 6, 1864, at the Wilderness and killed.

Col. Julius Massena Tucker's father was business manager of the
"Worcester Palladium," Julius E. Tucker, and the son was among the
first to enlist in 1861 at the age of 19 yrs. in the Third Battalion Rifles,
but he was counted out, as the company then had a surplus. He enlisted
at the next opportunity in the 25th Regt. and served for a year. He was
commissoined lieutenant in the 36th Regt. in 1862 and was with it
a year enduring much fighting and hardship. In the autumn of 1863
when he had returned to civil life, he was induced to try to raise a com-
pany for the oTth Regt. In 20 days he enrolled 126 men. He was
wounded in the face June 17 at Petersburg; was brought home to die
but in seventy days was on duty again as colonel of his regiment. He
led a gallant charge at Ft. Steadman Mar. 25, 1865, and he lost his horse
and everything except the clothing he wore in the battle. He received
a furlough as a reward for his service that day, returned to the front,
and commanded his regiment to the end of the war. He received his
commission as major June 14, 1864; as lieutenant colonel (dated from
June 15, 1864), and he was brevetted colonel, April 15, 1G65. His
wound seriously handicapped him in civil life by interfering with his
speech. He was appointed inspector in the Custom House, but his
career was cut short by death, June 22, 1866, at the age of 25 years.

Corporal Charles S. Wilder was a student at Worcester Academy
when he enlisted in Co. A 21st Regt. in Aug. 1861; he served faithfully

AND ITS PEOPLE 625

through all the tough campaigning ; re-enlisted in Jan. 18(i4 and after his
furlough joined the Army in Virginia and fought bravely in every
engagement until wounded, June 2, I860. He was captured and taken
to Richmond, where he died a few days later.

Lieut. Albert C. Walker was a son of Aaron G. Walker of this city;
enlisted in the Light Infantry; assisted in raising Co. H of the 34th;
was made acting adjutant in the spring of 1864; commanded his com-
pany after the Battle of Newbern ; fell at Piedmont.

Adjt. Dwight Newbury of the 15th, died from a wound received
near the close of 1863. His body was brought home for interment and
his funeral, Dec. 11, was largely attended by militia and military men
of this section, the city government and many citizens.

Rev. Samuel Souther, a native of Fryeburg, Me., graduate of Dart-
mouth, 1842, and of the Bangor Theological Seminary, came to Worces-
ter in 1857 and became city missionary and chaplain at the jail and
insane asylum. He had previously been minister of the Congrega-
tional Church at Belfast, Me., and agent of the American Sunday School
Union. In 1863-4, he w^as representative from this city. He was inde-
fatigable in the work of enlisting men for the service, speaking at war
meetings, before and after his own enlistment in the 5Tth, in which he
served as sergeant. He was killed in the Wilderness and his body was
never found.

Adjt. Henry McConville was one of the first to enlist and had a gal-
lant record. He was mortally wounded in the Battle of Cold Harbor,
and survived but ten days. His body was brought home and buried
with military honors. "Youthful, chivalric and brave, he is another
offering on the altar of our country. Where patriotic spirits like his are
to be found, such a land is safe and will have a glorious history." The
funeral in St. John's Church, June 15, was attended by the Emmet
Guards, the State Guard, the Father Matthew Temperance Society, the
A. O. H., the Christian Doctrine Association, the city council, ofificers of
the army and navy and many other citizens.

Lieut. William Daley, another Worcester man, killed at Cold Har-
bor, after long and gallant service ; after he was wounded his com-
rades attempted to bring him into the trenches, but he said that he was
mortally wounded and might as well die there as anywhere. General
Smith said that such a brave man should be recovered and ordered him
dug out. Accordingly, two men dug their way underground to the
spot where he lay and brought him within the lines. He died June 24,
1864. The funeral here June 27, in St. John's Church was imposing.

Corp. Timothy F. Taft Jr., before the war had been in South Amer-
ica and he hurried home to do his part. He served four years in the
Army of the Cumberland and was very popular with his comrades. He
served in a Connecticut regiment and was killed at Atlanta.

Capt. Edward R. Washburn had lived here three years before the
W.— 1-40.

626 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

war, but went to Lancaster his old home, raised a company and was com-
missioned captain. In the assault on Port Hudson he was wounded by
five bullets. The surgeons pronounced his wounds fatal, but he lived
to come home, only to die of his wounds after apparently recovering.

Lieut. Samuel F. Woods was born in Barre; graduated at Yale in
1856, and studied law here and in the Harvard Law School; was admit-
ted to the bar and was practicing at Barre, when he enlisted in April
1861, as lieut. of the Holden Company, Third Battalion Rifles. After
his term of enlistment he lived here until commissioned adjutant of the
34th. He was afterward assistant adjutant on the staff of Gen. Weber.
He was severely wounded at Piedmont ; came home and died here at the
house of his brother-in-law, Hon. P. Emory Aldrich, June 26, 186-4.

Corp. Charles W. Upham, a son of Dea. Joel AV. Upham ; enlisted
in the 15th; was taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff', and died after six weeks
of privation in prison, Dec. 14, 1861, aged 19 years, 3 m., 5 d. He sleeps
in an unmarked grave.

Dr. Adams Conant, born in Worcester, Feb. 26, 1838, son of Benja-
min K. Conant : enlisted at Ft. Warren, Aug. 10, 1862 ; appointed hos-
pital steward at Alexandria, \'a. ; received the degree of M. D. from the
Medical University of Nashville while on duty there ; was on duty later
at Evansville, Lid.; in the course of duty was injured and died June 13,
1865, from his wounds.

Sergt. A. T. Bailey lived here several 3'ears before the war and had a
promising business future ; enlisted in the 36th and was a model sol-
dier; he died after a few hours from wounds received in the Battle of
Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864.

Major Elijah A. Harkness was educated in the Worcester schools
and took the first opportunity to serve his country ; serving first in Co.
A, Third Battalion Rifles, of which he was lieutenant; commissioned first
lieut. and adjutant in the 25th; later major of the 51st; brave, capable,
faithful, cheerful ; popular with ofiicer and men. He survived the war.

At Cold Harbor the national colors of the 25th had been shot to rib-
bons. Then the blue flag, the gift of the ladies of this city, was unfurled.
Three color-bearers had been shot, when John E. Lewis raised the flag
once more. He was also shot, but managed to plant the flag in the
ground. But as he wavered and fell his hand grasped the flag and
dragged it down with him, and it was stained with his blood. Casey of
Co. C rescued the flag.

No attempt has been made to give extended biographical records of
all the Worcester soldiers killed in the service. Space forbids. Li the
roster at the end of this chapter, a brief record of each soldier's military
service is given. Since the war hundreds, if not thousands, of other men
who served, in the war have become residents of the city. In many of
the biographical sketches in this work their services are mentioned. Ac-
counts of many of the distinguished officers are also given in the bio-
graphical section.

CHAPTER XXXV
The Spanish War

The following is Major Fairbanks' account of the campaign of 1898 :

At the first call of the President for troops, the Worcester Light Infantry, Com-
pany C ; the Worcester City Guards, Company A ; the Wellington Rifles, Company H,
and the Heywood Guards, Company F, of Gardner, comprising the third battalion of
the Second Regiment, were ordered to report with the regiment at South Framing-
ham on May 3d, to be mustered into the service of the United States.

The Worcester companies assembled at their armory on the morning of May 3d,
and, after an address by Mayor Dodge and prayer by Almon Gunnison, D. D., marched
to the depot, under escort of the gray-haired veterans of George H. Ward Post 10,
G. A. R., and the veteran members of the three companies. Thousands of people lined
the streets as the soldiers passed. They knew the call to duty had been quickly an-
swered, and that cold^ wet May morning was an occasion of solemnity to all — a scene
rarely witnessed and ever to be remembered.

The Worcester Light Infantry, for the third time in its history, left Worcester in
answer to the nation's call. Its members responded in large numbers, and its full
quota of seventy-seven men was filled soon after the arrival at South Framingham.

The company as mustered into the United States' service was officered as follows :
Frank L. Allen, Captain ; Arthur C. King, First Lieutenant, and Herbert H. Warren,
Second Lieutenant. On Alay 12th the company proceeded with the regiment, which
was designated Second Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, United States Volunteers,
to Lakeland, Florida, and became part of the First Brigade, Second Division, Fifth
Army Corps. The journey south was by rail from Jersey City, and on the whole was a
pleasant one for all.

The company passed through the capital on the morning of May 15th, where thirty-
seven years before it reported for duty with the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment for
three months' service in the War of the Rebellion. Lakeland was reached on the morn-
ing of May 17th, and camp was established on the shore of a beautiful lake.

After a stay of two weeks in Lakeland, the regiment moved to Tampa on Memorial
day, and established its camp at Ybor City, a suburb of the city. This was one
more step in the journey to Cuba, and in one week orders came to proceed to Port
Tampa for the purpose of embarking in the fleet that was to convey the army of Maj.
Gen. Shafter to Santiago, the objective point of the campaign. It was the fortune of
the Light Infantry to be assigned to the transport Concho, on which we're the Fourth
Infantry and the Twenty-fifth Infantry of colored troops. None will forget the week
spent on that boat, especially the first night when the men were placed below, where,
from the heat, lack of ventilation and closeness of the bunks, it seemed almost impos-
sible to breathe. Afterwards life was more bearable by reason of all being allowed
to sleep on deck. The first night the company was assembled under arms upon the
receipt of news that Spanish war vessels were outside the harbor and an attack was
feared, but it proved to be false news, and only served to delay the departure of the
fleet for several days. The crowded condition of the "Concho" made it necessary to
transfer the Second Regiment detachment to the Knickerbocker, No. 13, in which the
journey from Port Tampa to Santiago was made. The fleet of about forty transports,
with its convoy of war vessels, sailed on June 13th, and after a tedious and unevent-
ful voyage arrived off Santiago on the 20th.

628 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The Light Infantry landed at Daiquiri on the 23d, and, after a terrible march of
eleven miles through swamps and the thick tropical growth, joined the regiment at
Siboney headquarters, and two battalions of the regiment having landed on the 22d,
proceeded to that place. The company now had but two officers, the Second Lieuten-
ant, Herbert H. Warren, having been detailed as an aid on the staff of General Lawton,
the division commander. Lieutenant Warren rendered efficient service as a staff offi-
cer, and was recommended for brevet rank by the general.

On June 24 the regiment moved and bivouacked at "Las Guasamas," the scene of
the engagement of the cavalry brigade which included the Rough Riders. Here for
the first time were seen the bodies of men killed in action, and the sight was not with-
out its effect upon the feelings of all. From this time to the 30th of June, there were
frequent changes of camp. The rainy season had set in, and the days were made
dreary and uncomfortable by frequent heavy showers. The men were rapidly becom-
ing debilitated by the change of climate, lack of proper food, and exposure to the ele-
ments.

On June 30th orders came to break camp, and with one day's rations the march
was taken up for El Caney, which was to be attacked the next morning at daylight.
The regiment bivouacked near the town, and at about 6 A. M. the battle began, which,
late in the afternoon, resulted in the capture of the place. The battalion to which the
Light Infantry was attached, with one company of the Second Battalion, was cut off
from the regiment by order of the division commander at the point where Captain
Capron's battery was in action. This break, which caused a delay of more than an
hour, resulted in keeping the company from participating in the most serious part of
the battle in which the greater number of the casualties in the regiment occurred. The
company finally reached the firing line, and with the other companies of the battalion
was assigned a position which afforded good cover, but was kept from firing, which
from that position would have been of no value. The company occupied this place
throughout the day, with the bullets of the enemy continually whistling overhead. For-
tunately, during the entire day no casualties resulted to the battalion, except in two
companies, the Worcester City Guards, A Company, and the Heywood Guards, F
Company, of Gardner, and in these none were fatal.

After the battle a distressing night march was made to San Juan, which was
reached at daylight, and a,fter a short halt the regiment moved under a scattering fire
to the base of a hill, and went into camp. On the night of this day, July 2d, occurred
the so-called "night attack," which resulted in several casualties in the regiment, but
one, however, in the Worcester battalion.

The company was now under the command of Lieut. King, Captain Allen on the
evening after the battle of El Caney having been compelled, by an acute attack of
rheumatism, which rendered him practically helpless, to go to the hospital. This was
a severe loss, and one that was greatly regretted by all. Lieut. King commanded the
company from this time until the arrival at "Montauk Point," L. I., and his efficient
services were amply testified to by the affection in which he was held by the men upon
their return home. From July 2d until the surrender of Santiago, the company was
continually digging trenches, performing guard and outpost duty, under conditions that
rapidly sapped strength and vitality.

The formal surrender of Santiago took place on July 17 and i8th. From that
time until August 13, the date of sailing for Montauk Point, it was a constant strug-
gle for life. It seemed only a question of time when all must succumb to the sur-
rounding conditions. The daily rains made life nearly unbearable, and the death rate
throughout the regiment was constantly on the increase, but the end came on Aug.
I2th, when camp was broken, the regiment embarked on the transport Mobile, and
sailed the next day, the 13th, for Montauk Point, which was reached on the evening
of the i8th, but the regiment did not disembark until the 20th. Immediately upon disem-
barking, it went into "detention camps" for the purpose of quarantine, and after stay-

AND ITS PEOPLE 629

ing there three days a new camp was established, which was occupied until Saturday,
the 27th, when the regiment was furloughed. At Montauk supplies in generous quanti-
ty were received from the citizens of Worcester. They did much good, and were
gratefully appreciated.

In the afternoon of Aug. 27th the company reached Worcester. Eight of its mem-
bers had died of disease, and those who returned were in a pitiable condition. The
citizens of Worcester were shocked at the appearance of the men, who so short a
time before marched away in full vigor and strength.

The muster-out took place November 3, 1898.

Post 10, G. A. R., escorted the companies from the depot to the Armory. And its
members must have been vividly reminded of the old days of the War of the Re-
bellion.

The following is the roll of the officers and men comprising the
Worcester Light Infantry, when it left for the front:

Captain, Frank L. Allen; First Lieutenant, Arthur C. King; Second Lieutenant,
H. H. Warren ; Sergeants— First Sergeants, George H. Hill, A. S. Longley, George W.
Stebbins, C. T. Fletcher, William E. Barton, H. B. Wentworth ; Corporals, J. W. Hol-
brook, C. H. Colburn, R. H. Dowse, J. Luey Wilmot, C. A. Vaughan, P. W. Lincoln ;
Cook, A. G. Bursdorf ; Musicians, A. F. Wheeler, H. T. Chapin ; Artificer, E. A.
Stearnes ; Wagoner, T. B. Maynard ; Privates, H. H. Adams, O. T. Aldrich, J. H. Al-
len, Lyman Bartlett, C. E. Butler, W. H. Butler, Geo. C. Butler, G. E. Bennett, G. H.
Bejune, J. F. Bradley, C. A. Browne, L. A. Brigham, E. A. Briggs, F. E. Grossman,
F. H. Clarkson, F. M. Crooker, F. P. Dean, W. G. Dennis, E. T. Drury, C. T. Eld-
ridge, W. W. Eddy, J. H. Flinn, Jr., Geo. S. Farrow, O. J. W. Gleason, H. J. Greene,
L. B. Glixman, W. L Gage, F. C. Hale, R. E. Henderson, J. W. Humes, George T.
Jones, R. Johnson, B. W. Kincaid, J. C. King, C. H. Knibbs, S. L Mayo, George Mar-
tin, E. J. Martin, W. A. Merrified, R. H. Pitts, A. J. Pembleton, B. A. Prince, J. E.
Pope, Geo. E. Rix, W. D. Rheutan, W. D. Roberts, Charles M. Sands, A. D. Stewart,
Robert Taft, F. S. Tucker, A. T. Wintersgill, J. W. Wheeler, E. D. Woolbridge, Emit
Zaeder.

Captain Winslow Sever Lincoln commanded Company C, the Light
Infantry, before the Spanish War. He was offered a commission as cap
tain of immunes June 4, 1898, with the choice of white or colored troops,
but yielding to the wishes of his family, he accepted the position of cap-
tain and assistant commissary of subsistence, and June 26th he reached
headquarters at Tampa and was assigned as chief commissary of the
Third Division, Fourth Army Corps. Subsequently he was transferred
to the Second Brigade of the same Division. While in the unhealthful
camp at Fernandina his health became seriously impaired but recovered
after an illness of four weeks. Soon afterward he was sent home. On
his return to duty he was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division
at Anniston, Ala. ; was relieved Jan. 1, 1899, and sent to Havana as
assistant to Col. A. L. Smith and was assigned to the distributing depot
at Quemados, nine miles from Havana, from which rations for 15,000
troops were furnished. When beef from this country failed, he was in
charge of purchasing native cattle. He left Cuba for home April 10,
1899, and was discharged June 1 follovving.

630 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Capt. Lincoln joined the Light Lifantry in 18(35; again he enHsted
and was aide-de-camp with the rank of captain for nearly a year after
June 1ST."). From 18TG he was again in the company, promoted step by
step, captain from Nov. 23, 1880, to Oct. 3, 1883. (See Early Families).
During the Cuban campaign he was lieutenant of the Light Infantry,
but was on detached service in the Cuban campaign. He was ill in Flor-
ida and was detailed to division headquarters there, but he went with the
expedition and served on the staff of Gen. Lawton. He was fever-
stricken and furloughed home July 30, recovering in time for the muster
out. He was brevetted captain for gallant conduct at El Canen. He
became captain of the company after the war, and later major of his
regiment.

Fred P. Dean attained a peculiar distinction in the Spanish War. He
and .Sergeant iJarton located the grave of Lieut. Benchley, after the
Battle of San Juan Hill. He had marked the grave of every soldier of
his regiment buried in Cuba. In November he brought the body of
Lieut. Benchley to Worcester. He was appointed by Col. Clark in the
spring of 1899 to accompany the government burial corps to Cuba. The
party began its work in Porto Rico, and there it was discovered that
the stencil apparatus was buried deep in the hold under the cargo.
Dean's lettering skill came into play, and his work was so well done that
the cargo was undisturbed. He continued w-ith the corps and before his
return had lettered the name, rank, company and regiment on 1,378 boxes
containing the bodies of American soldiers returned to their homes for
burial. He also made plans of all the places where bodies w^ere exhumed.
In 1899 he w^as offered similar employment in the Philippines and was
engaged in the work for nine months. He made another trip in 1900 and
another in 1902, returning late in November 1903. Altogether he let-
tered caskets of 9,000 American soldiers wdio died in foreign parts.

In Memoriam. — Fred Baldwin Taft, born in Charlton; died in Cu-
ba, July 14, 1898 ; w^as a Worcester fireman.

James Woodbury Wheeler, died in Cuba, Aug. 2, aged 32 ; was an
insurance agent ; buried in Lynn.

Silas I. Mayo, died Aug. 7, aged 26; buried at Fairfield, Me.

Arthur Dawson Stewart, died Aug. 10, aged 19 ; a native of Grand
Pre, N. S. ; machinist; buried at Hortonsville, N. S.

Harold Benning Wentworth, sergeant, died at sea Aug. 14, aged 28;
had been physical director of the Y. M. C. A. and Holy Cross; left a
widow.

Robert Henry Dowse, b. Aug. 24, 1868; died Aug. 26, 1898; wood-
carver; buried in Sherborn.

William David Roberts, born Staffordsville, Conn, May 3, 1879 ; died
here Sept. 3, 1898; buried at Cherry Valley.

Joseph Clarence King, died at division hospital, Santiago, Sept. 5,
aged 18; buried in Leicester, his native town.

AND ITS PEOPLE 631

Lieut. Arthur C. King, died here June 30, 1901, aged 34 ; had served
ten years in the company ; was president of the Cuban War Veterans ;
left a wife and two children ; Ijuried in Hope Cemetery. He was in the
wall paper business.

Royal H. Pitts, died in Boston, June 3, 1899; was Adjutant Gen-
eral of the Legion of Spanish War Veterans.

Eugene F. Drury, died in the Worcester City Hospital, Nov. 1, 1902 ;
enlisted in the U. S. Regulars after the war, Jan. 9, 1899 ; served in the
Ninth Infantry in the Philippines and took part in many engagements ;
was in China during the Boxer war; was discharged Jan. 9, 1902. He
was buried in Leicester.

City Guards. — Every man in the City Guards volunteered in the
Spanish War and under Capt. Edwin G. Barrett the company went to
camp in South Framingham May 3, 1898, with the Second Regiment, in
which it was Company A. On May 10 they were mustered into the
federal service. Next day the regiment started for the South, taking
the steamer Plymouth at Newport, R. L, and after a tedious wait in New
York, proceeding by rail through Washington, they arrived in Savan-
nah, Georgia, on the loth and late at night in Lakewood, Fla. They
were the first of the volunteers to arrive. Here they camped and until
May 30 Camp Massachusetts was their home. Capt. Barrett was the
first officer of the day. The next camp was at Ybor City, a suburb of
Tampa, where they remained until June 7. They embarked on the
transport Concho and next they were transferred to the Knickerbocker
June 12, and next day that boat anchored near Orizaba. The fleet finally
arrived near Santiago May 20, but a landing was not made until two
days later. A stearh launch from the cruiser New York with a line of
small boats came to the side of the transport. In these boats the men
and supplies were taken ashore. Most of the company did not get ashore
until the 23d. From the landing at Daiquiri, the regiment marched to
Siboney and camped. The march to Santiago has been described. The
company took part in the engagement and siege of Santiago. Peter N.
.White was the only man wounded by two bullets. But disease soon
began to make inroads in the company. Deaths became frequent.
The company embarked on the transport Mobile Aug. 12. Food and
accommodations were lacking ; most of the men were fever-stricken ;
all were suffering from heat, hunger or disease. At the arrival at Mon-
tauk Aug. 19, Capt. Barrett telegraphed home that every man in his
company was alive. To his vigilance, his resourcefulness in getting pro-
visions and fatherly care of the sick many of his men owed their lives.
The men went ashore next day and were released from Quarantine on
the 24th. Many Worcester friends came to camp with delicacies and
comforts for the soldiers. The company returned to Worcester Aug.
27 and most of the company joined the ranks and marched. Of the 67
who went in May, 54 were in line. Lieut. Plummer and Privates Fischer

632 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

and Fairbanks were left in Cuba on duty ; Artificer Clapp and Privates
Forest and Torkelson were in the hos])ital at Montauk, and Sergeant
Sawyer and Privates Christenson and Israel in the detention camp at
Montauk. A sixty-day furlough was given the men. Muster-out was
at Springfield, Nov. 2.

Though not a man was lost in the Cuban campaign, four men died
from the results of their service.

In Memoriam. — Joseph Henry Beaudoin, born here May 12, 1875,
son of Aimable ; died Sept. 3, 1898.

Lewis M. Fay, born at Brookfield, M., son of William W.; died
in California 1901.

George Leon Forest, son of Hormisdas; died at St. Peter's Hos-
pital, Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1898; was captain of the Y. M. C. A.
Basket Ball Team.

Sergeant Edward Robert Riedl, born here Aug. 12, 18T0, son of
Mathew, died in Westborough, Oct. 21, 1900 ; buried in Hope Cemetery.

Emmet Guards. — The Emmets voted unanimously to ofl^er their ser-
vices in the war, at a meeting April 11, 1898, before war was declared.
Recruiting brought the number in the company to 7-1 by the 29th. The
company left for Framingham May 4, receiving one of the greatest ova-
tions ever given an organization in the city. The company was escorted
by Post 10, G. A. R. ; students from Holy Cross and the Catholic
Schools; and by practically all the Catholic organizations in the city.
The Emmets were sworn into the United States service at Framingham
May 11 ; 2d Lieut. Hurley succeeding Lieut. Hines who failed to pass
the physical tests ; Sergt. William E. McCann becoming 2d lieut.

After a wait that tried the patience of the men, the Ninth Regi-
ment broke camp on May 31. Before starting, M. B. Lamb and P. J.
McManus presented a purse of $250 in l)ehalf of the honoraries. James
Logan had previously sent $50 to the captain and the Volunteers' Aid
Association had sent money, stockings and supplies. When the train in
three sections passed through Union station in this city it was greeted
by a vast throng; at New Worcester there was another crowd to bid
the boys goodbye. All along the route they were given an ovation, espe-
cially at Chester and Pittsfteld, where cofifee and lunch was served and
boxes of good things provided. By way of Albany, Baltimore and
Washington, the trains proceeded to Dunn-Loring, their destination,
Virginia. In camp Alger the Emmets were visited by many Worcester
friends, including Mayor Dodge, Rev. Father Thomas Conaty ; money,
dainties, sui)plies of all kinds was received. They were a lively lot
and found plenty of amusement. The celel)ration of Bunker Hill Day
was elaborate ; the whole regiment took part.

The Ninth was in the First Brigade, Third Division, Second Army
Corps, associated with the ;)3d and 31th Michigan regiments. The com-
mand moved by train to Alexandria, June 24, leaving but one man of the

AND ITS PEOPLE 633

Emmets in the hospital ; thence tlie regiment was transported to New-
port News on the ^oth, and embarked on the transport Harvard which
steamed away for Cuba on Sunday, arriving about midnight June 30,
at Santiago harbor, where the Spanish fleet was "bottled up." The reg-
iment landed at Siboney next day. Four hours later they took up the
line of march that the Rough Riders had followed to Las Guasimas.
Wounded men from El Caney were met on their way to the hospitals.
They were under for that day for the first time. At two in the morn-
ing of July 3, the company was marched to the support of the 10th U. S.
Infantry near San Juan and set to trench work. The Spaniards opened
fire at daybreak. Later in the day a truce was declared. The Emmets
were then in the Third Brigade, Third Division, Fifth Corps. There
were few casualties and no deaths in the company during the engage-
ment and siege at Santiago. But the tropical climate and lack of food
soon brought sickness and suffering. Henry Sullivan was the first of
the Emmets to die. But the Emmets were more fortunate than many
other companies in their camp location. August 12, Halleck Bartlett
arrived with delicacies and supplies from home, though the greater part
of the things sent to the Emmets never arrived. But Lieut. McCann
made good the loss by appropriating a six-mule tea,m load of malted
milk, canned goods and other food from the Santiago docks.

Camp was broken Aug. 23 and the Emmets embarked on the trans-
port Alleghany, which arrived with its load of sick and emaciated sol-
diers at Montauk, L. L, Aug. 31. The Emmets were greeted by Wor-
cester friends and physicians, Dr. Timothy J. Foley, Dr. McGourty and
Dr. John Ronayne. Later came many others to the aid of the boys
from Worcester. Only eleven of the Emmets were able to walk to the
boat when the start for home was made on the Vigilant ; Doctors Foley,
McGourty, Joseph H. Kelley, M. F. Fallon, T. A. O'Callaghan, W. J.
Delahanty, J. W. McKoan, Rev. D. F. McGillicuddy, Michael L. Russell
and Frank J. Moynihan were with the soldiers. From New London,
the company went by train to Worcester through Providence. They
were received at 10.30 at Union station by a great gathering. But half
of the company had been able to reach home ; some were dead ; others
were scattered in hospitals.

The recruits for the Emmets left Worcester July 14 and were sent
to Camp Alger, but on account of the typhoid epidemic were removed
Aug. 7 to Bristow Station, Va., and vicinity. On the 27th they were
taken to Middletown, Penn. On Sept. 4 the command started for Camp
Dalton, South Framingham, and on Sept. 10th the Emmet recruits were
sent to Worcester with a general furlough for sixty days.

A reception was given to the Emmets Oct. 31. Col. Wellington
was chief marshal of the parade. The Grand Army, the militia took
part. The Emmets under Capt. Moynihan and both lieutenants had
71 men in line. In the evening there was a reception in Mechanics Hall,

634

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

which was crowded. Col. F. W. Wellington was toast-master. The
speakers were Mayor Rufus B. Dodge, Hon. Joseph H. Walker, Hon. A.
S. Pinkerton, Rev. D. F. McGillicuddy, Col. W. S. B. Hopkins, and
W^illiam H. Bartlett, Department Commander of the G. A. R.

The Emmets reported at the Armory Nov. 6. Of the total number
enlisted (106) 80 enlisted men and three officers were present. They
were mustered out Nov. 26. The company mascot Couchee, returned
from Cuba and enjoyed the honors of a veteran until April 11, 1901,
when he was chloroformed.

In Memoriam.— Henry Sullivan, the first of the Emmets to die in
the service, was born in Winchendon, Oct. 24, 1872, son of Henry; mar-
ried Mary Moynihan ; died July 23, 1898 ; buried in St. John's cemetery.

George Washington Brosman, born in New York City, Nov. 6, 1877,
son of John, "a veteran of the British army ; died at Egmont Key, Fla.,
Aug. 20 ; pressman on the Worcester Post ; buried in St. John's cemetery.

Corporal John Daniel Sweney, born in County Kerry, Ireland, Feb.
27, 1877, died Aug. 21, son of Daniel. His body was the first to be
brought home; he was buried with military honors in St. John's
cemetery.

Edward Francis Sullivan, born in Shrewsbury, Aug. 29, 1874, died
on the way home ; was a stationary engineer.

Charles Francis McMann, born in Underbill, Vt., son of ^lichael ;
died Aug. 30 ; was a star football player in Brigham Academy ; taught
school 1897-8.

Michael Joseph Healey, born at Castle Island, County Kerry, Ire-
land, 1875, son of Edward, died at sea, Aug. 31 ; was a moulder by trade.

Joseph M. Coffee, born in New Haven; died at Camp Meade Sept.
5; buried at New Britain, Conn.

Corporal John Francis Horan, born at Abbeyfeale, County Limer-
ick, Ireland, son of Michael ; came to this country in 1880 ; foreman for
Henry Mellen, mason; member of the A. O. H.; died at Montauk,

Sept. 9.

John Francis Keegan, born here Nov. 2,1872, son of John, who served
in the Civil War; founder by trade; died at Montauk, Sept. 9 of typhoid
pneumonia; buried in St. John's cemetery.

James Francis McTiernan, born here, son of James; died at Mon-
tauk, Sept. 15 ; funeral at St. Stephen's.

John James Craven, born in Ireland, son of John, died at Montauk,
Sept. 25 ; came to America in 1885 ; wire-drawer in Washburn & Moen's
mill; had been in the Emmets three years; member of the A. O. H.;
buried in St. John's cemetery.

John Edward Casey, born in County Kerry, Nov. 18, 1866, son of
Michael ; died after his return at the State Hospital, Dec. 31, 1899.

Walter Allen, born in England, Oct. 28, 1877, son of George ; came

AND ITS PEOPLE 635

to this country in 1881 ; after the Cuban War enlisted in the U. S. Infan-
try and served at Pekin where he died Nov. 5, 1900.

Peter H. Bennett, born here, son of Patrick, died June 24, 1902.

David James Kennedy, born at Hardwick, son of David ; enlisted in
the U. S. Infantry after the war; fought in the Philippines and in China;
wounded at Tien Tsin, July 13, 1900 ; died July 2, 1903.

William H. Murphy, born here April 19, 1879, son of John; died
of malaria, contracted in Cuba, Oct. 12, 1904.

Timothy J. Ahern, born in Ireland at Buttertin, County Cork, came
to this country in 1896 ; married Bridget Devine : died March 9, 1905, aged
31 years, of disease contracted in the service.

Wellington Rifles. — At the outbreak of the Spanish War, the Wel-
lington Rifles, Co. H, 2d Regiment, were recruited by Captain Charles S.
Holden to full strength. Edward B. Fish was then first lieutenant; Harry
T. Gray, second lieutenant. The roster of the company will be found in
Mr. Roe's history.

The company went to Camp Dewey in South Framingham
May 3, 1898, and was mustered into the United States service May 9.
The regiment started for the South May 12 and on the ITth arrived at
Lakeland, Florida. On the 30th the regiment moved to Ybor City and
on the seventh of June arrived at Tampa City. The start for Cuba
was made on the Concho. Rations were often wanting; the heat was
intense and the boys endured much suffering. On the 12th the regi-
ment was transferred to the transport Knickerbocker, which finally got
under way on the 14th. Part of the regiment landed at Santiago on the
32d and on the 23d the Wellingtons landed at Mount Losiltires. After
the engagement at Las Guasimas, June 24, the second Regiment was
marched toward that place, halting over Sunday, and resuming the
march on Monday, camping from Tuesday to Thursday, June 30.

The regiment was in. action at El Caney and at the siege of Santiago.
The men suffered from lack of food, and sickness increased in the com-
pany as in the rest of the army. The weeks after the surrender were
full of hardships and suffering. Finally the company embarked on the
Mobile in command of Lieut. Gray, after a severe campaign of fifty days
in Cuba. Lieuts. Fish and Privates Cook, Hodgkins and Wood were left
in the hospital and Private Coates was left in charge of them. On the
way home there were eleven deaths. The company reached Montauk
Point Aug. 18, landing on the 20th. Here good quarters and food were at
hand. Hardly had the boys settled in camp when George D. Barber, a
former member of the Wellingtons, arrived with a supply of butter,
bread and cheese, and Capt. W. E. Hassam with more delicacies. On
Aug. 27th the company embarked on the steamer Block Island, landed at
New London, Conn., at 9.45 p. m., and reached this city at 3.45 p. m.
They were mustered out at Springfield.

In Memoriam. — Charles E. Buck, the first to die in Cuba, was born

636 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

here, Nov. 12, 1878, son of Charles P. Buck ; his body was brought home
for burial in Hope Cemetery.

Aloysius Lincon Farmer, born here Dec. 4, 1880, died Oct. 1, 1898 ;
special student in Holy Cross, son of William L. Farmer, a veteran of
the Civil War in the First Mass. Cavalry.

Earle Eugene Clark, born in Uxbridge, Dec. 17, 1878, son of Everett
E. ; died Aug. 17, 1898.

John Michael Moran, born Aug. 9, 1879, in Brookfield, died Aug. 27,
the day his company started to return from Montauk, son of Patrick
J., who served in the 22d Conn, in the Civil War and in the Fourth U. S.
Artillery.

Fabian Hakanson, born in Sweden, May 17, 1878, died Aug. 6; son
of Charles A. ; he is buried here in the Swedish cemetery.

John J. Moore came home, but died at St. Vincent Hospital Aug. 31.
He was born here, Nov. 14, 1876, son of Martin.

Alston Dwight Kimball, son of Herbert A., was born at South-
bridge, Nov. 2, 1872; died at Montauk, Aug. 28; buried in Hope Cem-
etery.

John James McLaughlin, born here April 22, 1874, son of John ; was
brought home and apparently recovered ; married Mary O'Day ; but died
Oct. 2, 1902, as a result of his service in Cuba.

W'illiam Capen Green, born here Dec. 12, 1877, son of Ellis, died of
fever Aug. 9 ; buried in Spencer.

Marvin Fisher Ames, corporal, born in Walton, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1868,
son of John Fisher, who served in the Civil War ; studied law ; was
admitted to the bar; member of Willie Grout Camp, S. \'.; died Aug.
13, 1898; buried March 5, 1900, in Walton, after a funeral here in the
Church of the Unity, at which Rev. Frank L. Phalen, chaplain of his reg-
iment preached and Frank P. Goulding, Esq., delivered a eulogy. The
Wellingtons and other militia attended.

Thomas Francis Keevan. born in Westborough May 17, 1873, son
of Thomas, who served in the Civil War, died after his return, April
12, 1901.

George Warren Hodgkins, born in Calais, Me., March 17, 1864, son
of William; call man in the Worcester Fire Department; died Sept. 12
on the transport Missouri on his way home.

Harvey Randall, born in Montpelier, France, Nov. 28, 1877, son of
Dr. Orlando of Pasadena, Cal. ; was the company musician; one of the
first to die in the company.

Charles Maxwell Haye, born at Chazy, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1877, son of
Charles M.; was at one time a reporter on the Telegram; died at Mon-
tauk, Sept. 3; buried at Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Silas Undergrave, born at Millbury, Feb. 14, 1872, son of Silas; died
Aug. 1 ; buried in the Catholic Cemetery, Millbury.

Volunteers' Aid Association. — A meeting was held in the rooms of

AND ITS PEOPLE 637

the Board of Trade May 37, 1898, to organize the Volunteers' Aid Asso-
ciation, which in five months following raised and disbursed for the bene-
fit of the soldiers from this city the sum of $9,000. Major E. T. Ray-
mond was president; Rev. A. S. Garver, vice-president; Carl Bonney,
secretary; Halleck Bartlett, treasurer, forming an executive committee
with Gen. A. B. R. Sprague, Dr. T. J. Barrett and Stephen Salisbury.
Large committees on relief were appointed ; a finance committee of one
from each ward and much volunteer work was done. Miss Frances M.
Lincoln was elected chairman of the Relief Committee. Supplies of all
kinds, food in abundance and great variety were contributed. Enter-
tainments of all sorts were held to raise funds. The city gave loyal sup-
port to the Association, and the soldiers who' received the substantial evi-
dence of the thoughtfulness of the people at home were encouraged and
sustained during the trying months of the Cuban campaign. But more
important than the sending of food and supplies to the front, was the
relief provided for the families left without sufficient means, and the care
of the sick soldiers after their return. Mrs. Angie A. Robinson, chair-
man of the committee on Local Relief, was very efficient in this work.

United Spanish War Veterans. — Col. E. R. Shumway Camp No. 28,
organized in 1901, meets in the G. A. R. Building. John E. Fitzpatrick
was commander in 1917. Mabel Shumway Auxiliary, organized 1907;
Mrs. Emma Northridge, president, 1917.

In 1905 a History of Companies A, C and H of the Second Regi-
ment and G of the Ninth, entitled "Worcester in the Spanish War" by
Hon. Alfred S. Roe was published (331 pages). The history was begun
while the author was editor of the Worcester Magazine, in which the
parts relating to the Light Infantry and City Guards were published,
1901-3. The book is an intimate personal history of the rank and file. It
contains portraits of more than 600 members of these companies besides
other illustrations.

CHAPTER XXXVI

Early Military Organizations — Worcester Light Infantry — City Guards
» — Jackson Guards — Emmet Guards — Wellington Rifles —

Battery B — Worcester Continentals

Early Militia Companies. — During the colonial and provincial peri-
ods every man able to bear arms was drilled and most of them saw-
active service. The soldiers at first were assigned to various garrison
houses under designated commanders. In 1T35 or soon afterward a
military company was formed and Daniel Heywood elected captain.
An account of the service of the Worcester militia companies may be
found in the history of the French and Indian Wars. In 1760 there
were two militia companies in town, commanded by Capt. John Johnson
and Capt. James Goodwin.

At the close of the Revolution, the Worcester Artillery was organ-
ized from volunteers and was commanded by Major William Treadwell
(see biography). At the time Lincoln wrote his history this was the
oldest militia company. Capt. Josiah G. Perry commanded it in 1836.
It had two six-pounders granted by the state for its use. They were
field-pieces taken from the British in the battle of Saratoga, and bore
the British markings, crown, lion and unicorn, and the motto: "Honi
Soit Qui Mai y Pense."

The Independent Cadets, organized when war with France threat-
ened in 1798, disbanded when the danger was over. The Worcester
Rifle Corps, established in 1823, was disbanded in 1835.

Worcester Light Infantry. — The Worcester Light Infantry is the
oldest military organization in the city. It was formed at Moore's Tav-
ern, at the corner of Main and Mechanic Sts. Oct. 17, 1803. Although
there had been two state militia companies in existence, they were not
uniformed and lacked proper arms. The charter for the new company
was granted on petition of Levi Lincoln, Jr., June 6, 1803, and a rousing
appeal in the Spy of Oct. 5 for enlistments evidently filled the quota at
once. The last survivor of the original company was Charles Tappan,
born 1784, died 1874.

In 1807 the company ofifered its services when war with England
was impending, but the militia was not needed. In the War of 1812
the company was ordered to Boston, Sept. 14, 1814, and stationed at
South Boston. The muster roll of the company appears in the history of
the War of 1812 in this work.

During the Mexican War, the company volunteered again, but the
quota of the state being full, it Avas not ordered into service. The com-
pany survived the opposition to maintaining militia after this war, but

640 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

it was neglected and languished.* It sprang to life at the sound of the
guns at Ft. Sumpter, and proved its usefulness by helping to save Wash-
ington from the Rebels. Its service in the Civil War is described else-
where. Members of the company afterward served in various commands
in the war and many won commissions. J. Waldo Denny was captain in
the 25th ; Harrison W. Pratt in the 34th ; William S. Lincoln was lieut.
col. of the 34th, and colonel ; Frederick G. Stiles raised a company for
the 42d Regt. ; George W. Prouty one for the 51st in ISG'-i, and Augustus
Ford one for the 42d in 1864.

The first armory was the gun house on the Common, built for the
Artillery Company about 1784. Afterward it was located in a wooden
building on the site of the City Hall, the Town Hall, the Central Ex-
change building in 1844; the Central School building, 1854; the Bliss
building, 1856; Horticultural Hall, 1858; the City Hall, 3 865; Brinley
Hall, later the G. A. R. Hall, on the site of the Slater building; Warren
Hall, Pearl street, 1869; Taylor Building, Main street, 1871 (here fire
destroyed the records and property) ; the armory on Waldo street ;
Clark's Block, Main street; Chase building, Front street, 1889; the
present armory since 1890.

The company served in the War with Spain in the 3d Battalion, 2d
Regt. M. V. M., under Maj. H. B. Fairbanks, a former captain of the
Light Infantry. (See Spanish War in this work).

The Light Infantry directly and indirectly contributed GOO officers
and men to the Civil War and 77 officers and men to the Spanish War.
An historical sketch of the organization was written by Maj. F. G.
Stiles and printed in the proceedings of the Worcester Society of An-
tiquity. (Vol. XVII, No. 13, p. 616). Since 1877 a veteran organization
has been maintained. Various citizens havfe been elected honorary
members from time to time, in recognition of important public service
or special gifts or aid given to the company.

A notable event in the history of the cqmpany was an excursion to
Baltimore and Washington in 1891, in which 48 active and 43 veteran
and honorary members took part, besides delegations from other organ-
izations. But throughout its existence the Light Infantry has been roy-
ally entertained at home and in other towns and cities, on many occa-
sions. It has taken part in all the public celebrations of importance and

*May II, 1834, Christopher Columbus Baldwin wrote in his diary (p. 300) :
"Yesterday which was Saturday there was a caricature of a military parade. It
was to have begun in the morning, but owing to a powerful rain did not appear until
afternoon. It originated in a contempt of the present laws regulating the militia. The
general was Knowlton a native of Shrewsbury, and now a student of law in the office
of William M. Towne Esq. of Worcester. He was dressed in a most grotesque and
fantastical manner and mounted upon a horse of the very meanest appearance. There
were about a hundred, horse and foot, with music, baggage cart and everything to
throw ridicule ui)on the military system. Some of the soldiers for knapsacks had com-
mon tin-kitches strapped upon their backs, others small churns and one was tarred
and feathered. A very good account of the whole exhibition was given in the Wor-
cester Palladium."

AND ITS PEOPLE 641

taken its place in all the great military parades since it was organized.
Its cajitains from the beginning have been :

Levi Thaxter, 1804-06; Enoch Flagg, 1806-09; William E. Green, 1809-11; Isaac
Sturtevant, 1811-12; John W. Lincoln, 1812-16; Sewall Hamilton, 1816-20; John
Coolidge, 1820-22; Samuel Ward, 1822-24; Artemus Ward, 1824-26; John Whitte-
more, 1826-27; Charles A. Hamilton, 1828-31; Zenas Studley, 1831-32; Wilham S. Lin-
coln, 1832-34; Charles H. Geer, 1834-36; Henry Hobbs, died 1836; Dana H. Fitch, 1837-
38; D. Waldo Lincoln, 1838-40; Ivers Phillips, 1841 ; Henry W. Conklin, 1842; Joseph
B. Ripley, 1843; Edward Lamb, 1844-48; Levi Barker, 1849; Edward Lamb, 1850-
52; Charles S. Childs, 1853; Samuel P. Russell, 1853-54; George Barker, 1854; George
F. Peck, 1855; Edward Lamb, 1856-59; Harrison W. Pratt, 1859-62; George W.
Prouty, 1862-65; James M. Drennan, 1865-69; George H. Conklin, 1869-70; Joel
H. Prouty, 1870-71; John Calligan, 1871 ; John A. Lovell, 1871-74; John J. Upham,
1874-75; Levi Lincoln, Jr., 1875-77; Joseph P. Mason, 1877-79; Thomas E. Leavett,
1879; Frank L. Child, 1879-80; Winslow S. Lincoln, 1880-83; Edward A. Harris, 1883-
89; Frank L. Child, 1889-90; Frederick G. Davis, 1890-91; Harry B. Fairbanks, 1891-
95; Phineas L. Rider, 1895-98; Frank L. Allen (Cuba), 1898; Phineas L. Rider,
1898-1905; Herbert H. Warren, 1906-14; Wm. Stevenson, 1915 — .

For more than a hundred years the anniversary of the organization
has been celebrated, except wdien the company was in service, and the
centennial of the organization was observed jointly with the Portland
Light Infantry, which received its charter one day later. The company
went to Portland, starting on June 3, 1903, and was royally entertained
there. On the 6th the Portland company came to this city. The other
militia companies of the city, the Fitchburg Fusiliers, the United Train
from Providence, a company of the First Heavy Artillery of Boston, two
companies from Hartford were guests of the Light Infantry. The
Highland Military Cadets also were in the parade. The day was spent
at the picnic grounds at Edgemere on Lake Quinsigamond. In the
evening there was a banquet in Mechanics Hall. The toastmaster was
Hon. James Logan, a veteran of the company; speakers — Mayor
Fletcher; Lt. Gov. Guild; Alderman Chapman of Providence, and oth-
ers. Maj. F. G. Stiles, the oldest surviver of the infantr}-, read a paper
entitled "A Full Century of the Light Infantry" (p. 6, Worcester Maga-
zine, July, 1903). He said:

"The prosperity of the Worcester Light Infantry has depended upon not only its
founders but upon every officer and member that has been enrolled since its organiza-
tion, but especially upon the first three commissioned officers; Levi Thaxter, captain,
Enoch Flagg, first lieutenant and Levi Lincoln, ensign. These officers were all living
more than a half century after the company was formed. Capt. George B. Peck, who
is with us tonight, commanded the company in 1855 and sent invitations to these officers
to attend the fifty-second anniversary. Neither of them was able to accept, but all
sent acknowledgments and regrets."

Ensign Levi Lincoln lived 65 years after the company was formed,
W.— 1-41.

642

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

never losing his interest in it, but always having a word of cheer and an
open house for all who comprised its membership. The name of Lincoln
has been on the roll from the beginning. Three brothers, Enoch Lin-
coln, afterwards governor of Maine ; William Lincoln, the historian, and
John W. Lincoln, captain of the company, 1812 to 1816. William S. Lin-
coln, son of Levi, commanded the company from 1833 to 1834; Daniel
Waldo, his brother, from 1838 to 1841 ; another brother George who was
killed at Buena Vista was in the ranks. William Lincoln, son of Wil-
liam S., served in the company in the Civil War, and his brother Levi
Jr. commanded it from 1875 to ISTT. Winslow S. Lincoln, son of Wil-
liam S., commanded the company from 1880 to 1883. Pelham W. Lin-
coln, grandson of Ensign Levi, served in the company in the Spanish
War.

We are proud of the Lincoln record and doul)t if it can be equalled
by any other military company where so many members of one family,
even to the fourth generation, have l)een enrolled in its ranks.

Worcester City Guards. — When the Worcester Light Infantry was
torn by political dissension in 1840, all the Whigs withdrew excepting
Capt. D. Waldo Lincoln. Both political parties had invited the militia
compqiny to take part in its parade on the Fourth of July ; the company
had voted to take part in the Democratic celebration. The Whigs were
allowed to leave the organization, and their places were filled by
Democrats. The Whigs immediately organized a new company, named
the Worcester Guards, Aug. 6. 1840. Not until 1850 was the name
changed to Worcester City Guards. The first parade with 64 men in the
ranks, was held Sept. 19, 1840, and a supper at the Worcester House at
which Gov. Levi Lincoln presided. The first officers were: Capt.
George Bowen ; 1st Lieut, (afterward Maj. Gen.) George Hobbs; 3d
Lieut. Leonard Pool; 3d Lieut. George W. Richardson; 1st Sergt. and
Clerk, Hiram Gould; 3d Sergt. Joshua R. Bigelow; 3d Sergt., Samuel T.
Lamb; 4th Sergt., Eldridge G. Pratt; 5th Sergt. and Color Bearer,
Charles Blanchard. The company attended the dedication of the battle
of Bunker Hill, and was on guard duty while Daniel Wel)ster was
speaking.

In 1860 a gold medal was bought by subscription, inscril^ed : "Pre-

AND ITS PEOPLE

643

sented by the Worcester Guards of 1840 to the Worcester City Guards,
Sept. 19, 1860, to be shot for annually."

The following armories have been occupied successively : Town
Hall, a wooden building on Thomas street, the attic of Dr. John Green's
building, nearly opposite Central street, Waldon Block ; the Worcester
Bank building; Brinley Hall, Main street, Taylor building (burned in
1875, destroying the company records, the silk banner, a painting by
Henry Woodward, etc.) ; Waldo street armory ; Clark's Block, Front
street. Mechanic street and the present armory. Following was the
muster roll of 1843 :

Charles Blanchard,
Charles P. Chapiii,
Frederick A. Paige,
William F. Emerson,
George A. Barber,
George A. Chamberlain,
Ithamar S. Goes,
Edwin W. Nye,
Milton Homer,
Edwin L. Heywood,
Samuel T. Lamb,
Henry Adams,
Elbridge G. Pratt,
Henry H. Edgarton,
Leonard Poole,
Nathaniel D. Coe,
George Geer,
Luther Slater,
John G. Goes,
George B. Conklin,
George S. Putnam,
George Bower,
Loanimi Harrington,
Stephen T. Coe,
Charles P. Nichols, Jr.
Windsor Hatch,
George E. Wyman,
Francis E. Bigelow,

Joshua R. Bigelow,
George W. Richardson,
Hiram Gould,
George C. Trumbull,
Francis W. Eaton,
Lewis H. Nye,
George W. Adams,
Harrison Bliss,
Joel Nourse,
Edward F. Dixie,
Julius L. Clark,
Charles Paine,
Joseph Boyden,
Samuel V. Stone,
Artemus Ward, 2d,
George W. Capron,
Lewis Boyden,
John Metcalf,
Russell R. Shepard,
Joseph Pratt,
George Dryden,
David J. Baker,
Jonathan H. Knights,
Horatio N. Tower,
Theophilus Brown,
Edwin I. Howe,
George F. Ramsdell,

David E. Merriman,.
Samuel Lees,
Leonard White,
Barzillian Spencer,.
Leonard Gates,
George A. Brown,
George H. Merriman,
Charles S. Ellis,
Charles N. Oliver,
Dan forth PI. Bundy,
Edwin Eaton,
Erastus B. Rice,
William W. Ward,
Samuel R. Leland,
Hiram W. Shepard,
Allen Billings,
Luther H. Goulding,
James G. Henderson,
G. Wyman Rockwood,
Charles C Chamberlain,
Thomas Kellogg,
Harlow M. Guild,
Lewis Thompson,
John B. Wyman,
William C. Head,
J. Crawford Wyman,
Amos C. Rathborn.

The company took part in the parade celebrating the completion of
the Atlantic cable, Sept. 1, 1856. Like all militia companies, they took
part in every celebration of importance, marching in holiday processions,
often enjoying anniversaries and banquets at homes in various other cit-
ies and towns. They became famous for their fine drill-work and hand-
some uniforms. The most prominent men of the city joined. They were
visited by the Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester in 1855, and by other
militia companies from time to time, and the occasions were celebrated
with great zest and enthusiasm. In 1858 the Boston Light Infantry paid.
a visit to the company.

644 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The record of the Guards in the Civil and Spanish War is given
elsewhere. Early in the spring of 1861, B. R. Sprague was chosen cap-
tain, assuming command April IT ; Josiah Picket, 1st lieut. ; George C.
Joslin, 2d lieut. ; Orson Moulton, ;kl lieut. ; Elisha A. Harkness, 4th lieut.
The company left for the front with the 3d Battalion Rifles. Of the
company 5(5 served afterward in the Civil War. Shaw, Burdick, Lieuts.
Mathews and Pelton, Lieut. Daniels and Lieut. Bacon were killed dur-
ing the war. (See p. 41, Hathaway's Hist. City Guards). Six former
members of the companies attained the rank of general : Leonard, W^ard,
WS^man. Sprague, Pickett and Goodell ; two colonels: A. A. Goodell
and J. M. Goodhue; six lieut. -cols. : Walter X. Batchelder, Homer B.
Sprague, Orson Moulton, D. :\L Woodward. J. M. Tucker. James H.
Corbin ; one major: George AL Curtis. Twenty-nine l)ecame captains,
and 15 lieutenants. In each case the highest rank only of the individual
is counted. The record shows how valuable the previous militia training
became in time of war. Twenty-three members were killed or died in
the service ; seven in Rebel prisons. A history of the company by Lt.
Samuel Hathaway was published in 1896.

A Veteran Association has been maintained since Feb. 19, 1886.
Gen. A. B. R. Sprague was its first president. The veterans gave a ban-
quet in 1890 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Guards. Gen.
Sprague presided. Gen. Charles Devens, Col. F. W. Wellington, Col.
Ivers Phillips who was captain of the Light Infantry in 1841, Major
F. A. Harrington, Capt. T. G. Davis, Capt. Geo. L. Allen, Capt. Wm.
Regan, Capt. John Lepire, Capt. W. A. Condy. Col. W. S. B. Hopkins,
Gen. R. H. Chamberlain, Hon. Julius L. Clarke and Lt. Samuel Hatha-
way were the speakers, and 2 TO members and guests attended.

The captains of the company have been : George Bowen, George
Hobbs, Leonard Pool, George B. Conklin, L. Lincoln, Xewton, Edwin
Eaton, Charles W. Longley, John M. Goodhue, George H. Ward, A. B.
R. Sprague, R. H. Chamberlain, Joseph H. Titus, W. H. King, E. R.
Shumway, George H. Cleveland, William D. Preston, William A. Condy,
Edwin G. Barrett, Frederick H. Lucke (1915-T).

The Jackson Guards. — At a meeting in Fenwick ILall, Aug. 9, 1852, a
militia company composed of yoimg men of Irish birth or descent was
organized, and it was afterward named the Jackson Guards. The charter
of the company was granted September 21. The company drilled at 236
Front street; later in Warren Hall, Pearl street. Their first drillmaster
was Major F. G. Stiles, of the Light Infantry. Michael O'Driscoll was the
first captain. From the first they were met with prejudice and disfavor
in the militia. At the muster in Leominster in 1853 they received many
discourtesies ; at Longmeadow in 1854 the feeling was bitter. The
Knownothing sentiment was strong at that time. That party elected
a governor in 1854 and controlled the Legislature. As a result the seven
Irish companies were disbanded. The Adjutant General came to this

AND ITS PliOPLR 645

city February IT and. having- l)rokcn into the armory of the company,
removed all the public property and transported it to Boston. The men
refused to give up their arms and ammunition. Capt. O'Driscoll secured
the arrest of Stone, but he was speedily released on bail. There was an
indignation meeting, Feb. 20, in Fenwick Hall, but on the advice of their
counsel, Gen. B. F. Butler, no further proceedings were taken by the
Jacksons. At least ten of the Jacksons went into the service with the
Emmet Guards in 1861. The Jackson Guards were Comi^any D of the
Eighth Regiment.

The Emmet Guards. — The Emmet Guards were organized in June,
1859, with Matthew J. McCafferty as captain, but the company did not
become a part of the state militia until 1861. At the outbreak of the
Civil War they volunteered, and were accepted and became Company
C, Third Battalion of Rifles. The Emmets were well drilled and equip-
ped and were sent at once to Washington, as related elsewhere. The
original officers were Capt. Michael S. McConville ; First Lieut. Michael
O'Driscoll; 2d Lieut. M. J. McCafferty; ;3d Lieut. Thomas O'Neill; ■4th
Lieut. Maurice Melavan. The company was composed of men of Irish
birth or descent. The service of the Emmets in the Civil War is related
elsewhere. The war virtually disbanded, the Emmets as a militia
organization.

The Sarsiield Guards, composed of Irishmen, was organized after the
war with Captain Joseph H. Corbett in command.

A new company was formed Nov. 21, 1881, under the old name of
Emmet Guards by fifteen young men of Irish birth or descent. The
captain was Joseph H. Corbett, late of the Sarsfields; John J. Hughes
was first lieutenant ; William Regam second lieutenant and Thomas F.
McGauley, treasurer. Not until May 10, 1887, dfd this company become
part of the state militia, and their first appearance in camp was at Fram-
ingham, ]\.\\x 19, 1887. An honorary association was formed June 9,
1887. Jeremiah Murphy being chairman, Richard O'Flynn secretary,
elected June 9, 1887, and historian.

The officers in 1896 were: Capt. J. J. Moynihan ; 1st Lieut. M. E.
Hines; 2d Lieut. J. F. Hurley. The captains since have been John F.

Hurley and Thomas F. Foley (1917 ) ; Lt. J. J. Hughes became

captain in 1883-4; William Regan 1884-94; Jeremiah J. Moynihan, 1894-
1907; John F. Hurley, 1907 ; Thomas F. Foley 1912 .

The officers at the beginning of 1917, before the United States
declared war against Germany, were : Capt. Thos. F. Foley ; 1st Lieut.
George A. Corbin ; 2d Lieut. William P. Fitzgerald.

Dr. Joseph W. O'Connor of this city was battalion adjutant with the
rank of lieutenant in the Ninth Regiment.

The Emmet Honorary Association was organized during the Span-
ish War, in which the Emmets served as part of the Ninth Regiment
(Co. G) (see Spanish War). The first officers were John J. Riordan.

646 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

chairman; William J. Tansey, secretary; Dr. George McAleer, vice-
president; Lt. James Early, treasurer. Directors: Richard O'Flynn,
J. F. Fitzgerald, Paul Henry, J. Frank Quinn, Philip J. O'Connell. The
first meeting was held March 31, 1898; the next meeting May 3, when it
was voted to do escort duty the next day, when the Emmets started
for camp, choosing Col. F. W. Wellington for chief marshal. A fund
was raised for the company at the time it started for the front, Richard
Healy being the largest contributor. During the war the Honoraries
aided the families of the soldiers and forwarded supplies to the boys in
Cuba. They attended to the burial of those who lost their lives and
while the boys were at Montauk they gave very substantial aid. Me-
morial services to those who gave their lives in the war were held at St.
John's Church, Feb. 22, 1899. The organization raised a total of about
$1,500. At the final meeting June 12, 1900, Dr. McAleer read a eluogy
on John J. Riordan.

The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Emmet Guards was organized in June,
1898, to make comfort bags and provide supplies for the sick and
wounded soldiers. Meetings were held two evenings a week at 98 Front
street. Mrs. P. H. Murphy, Mrs. J. F. Hurley and Mrs. P. J. Moynihan
were appointed to represent the auxiliary in the Soldiers' Aid Associa-
tion, and they took an active part in the work of that organization. To
raise funds a lawn party was held July 27, at St. Stephen's Church, and
the net proceeds were over $600. The president of the auxiliary was
Mary E. Fitzgerald; secretary, Abbie I. Heffren ; treasurer, Mrs. Wil-
liam Goodwin.

Wellington Rifles. — Action was taken April 17, 1894, to organize
another company, and on the 24th 58 names were submitted to the
mayor and aldermen and approved. Col. Fred W. Wellington of this
city, a member of the Governor's staft", was assigned to inspect the men,
and on May 2, 56 men were mustered in and the following officers
elected: Captain, Charles E. Burbank; first lieut., Walter E. Hassam ;
2d lieut., Wright S. Prior. The captain had been a West Point cadet
one year; the lieutenants were graduates of Norwich University, a mili-
tary institution. The company was named for Col. Wellington, and was
entitled Co. H of the Second Regiment, M. V. N. The captains have
been: Charles E. Burbank; Charles S.Holden, 1898-1900; Henry C.
Young, 1901-1912; Clarence E. Smith, 1913; Eugene F. Burr, 1914. An
account of the service of this company in the Spanish War is given else-
where.

Battery B, organized in May, 1869, consisted of a section of two
guns, commanded by a first lieutenant and known as Section A. In Oc-
tober, 1869, the section was recruited by the addition of two guns and
necessary men for a battery of four guns, and was designated as the
Fifth Battery, attached to the Third Brigade, then commanded by Gen.
Robert H. Chamberlain, for whom the battery was named the Cham-

AND ITS PEOPLE 647

berlain Light Battery. During the reorganization of the mihtia in 18T6,
the battery was attached to the First BattaHon of Light Artillery, First
Brigade, and its name changed to Battery B. In 1878 it was detached
and remained an independent battery of the First Brigade for several
years. In 1891 it was again placed in the Battalion.

The first armory of the battery was in the city barns in South Wor-
cester, the company rooms being in the Taylor building. The equip-
ment at first was two brass twelve-pounders and two iron pieces, with
carriages and caissons. Some years later, when the battery was located
in the Waldo street armory, four ten-pound Parrotts and carriages were
issued to it and used several years. In 1886 while the armory was in
Barton Place, the battery was increased by having two Catling guns,
and a platoon of men added. Since 1890 the quarters have been in the
present armory. In 1891 four three-inch muzzle-loading steel rifled
guns took the place of the Parrotts. From time to time since then the
equipment has been changed.

The captains of the battery have been : E[enry W\ Reed, 1869-71 ;
John G. Rice, 1871-77; George L. Allen, 1877-82; Henry C. Wadsworth,
1882 ; George L. Allen, 1882-84 ; Fred W. Wellington, 188-1-87 ; John E.
Merrill, 1887-89; George L. Allen, 1889-91; Laurence G. Bigelow, 1891-
94; Joseph Bruso, Jr., 1894-98; Herbert W\ Haynes, 1899-1905 ; Edward
W. Wheeler, 1905-1916; John F. J. Herbert, 1916.

Lieutenants since 1900. — Arthur H. Boswcll. William E. Sayle, Wil-
liam T. Gould, Edward W. Wheeler, John F. J. Herbert, Nicholas J.
Smith, Walter J. Cookson, Arthur P. Trombly.

Capt. Joseph A. Smith has been paymaster. of the Battalion for many
years and Lieut. Nicholas J. Skcrrett of this city, battalion quarter-
master.

In 1916 the officers of the battery were: Capt., J. F. J. Herbert; Sr.
1st Lieut., Arthur P. Trombley ; Jr. 1st Lieut., George Bieberbach. At the
beginning of the war, 1917, the officers were: Capt. Herbert; lieuten-
ants, Trombley, John B. Haliburton, Milton ]". Haynes and Edward J.
Gully.

The Battery entered the LInited States service and is now "some-
where in France" in command of Captain Herbert.

Capt. Herbert is an editor by profession, having served for twenty
years on the staff of the Daily Spy and the Worcester Evening Post.

Worcester Continentals. — Though not strictly militia, the W^orcester
Continentals form one of the most picturesque of the military bodies of
the city. Calling into their ranks many of the most distinguished men,
maintaining a spirit of loyalty intermingled with much conviviality, the
organization is welcomed wherever it goes and is popular at home and
abroad. It has exercised a stimulating effect on the patriotism of the
citizens, especially in reminding them of the patriots who won Indepen-
dence and established a nation. In its charter the objects are stated:

648 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

"Military organization, drill, discipline and parade, and the preservation
of military associations and spirit."

It ^vas incorporated April 14, 18T9. The organization was sug-
gested first by Willard F. Pond at the time of the centennial celebration
here, and the meeting to organize was held .Vpril 10, 18T6. A hundred
men were enrolled for the parade, of which the company Avas one of the
most conspicuous features. "In its ranks were seen the very flower
of Worcester's citizenry and on its active or honorary list a representa-
tive, one or more, of every family of any distinction in the city. Follow-
ing are the officers and members at the time of the parade, July 4, 1876:

Captain, William S. B. Hopkins; first lieutenant, David M. Woodward; second
lieutenant, Joseph M. Titus; first lieutenant and adjutant, Edwin A. Wood; surgeon,
rank of major, Frank H. Kelley, M. D. ; asst. surgeon, rank of ist lieutenant, George
A. Bates, M. D. ; chaplain, rank of captain, Rev. Edward H. Hall, D. D. ; ist lieutenant
and quartermaster, Willard F. Pond; color sergeant, A. B. Lovell; sergeant and
treasurer, William G. Strong ; sergeant and clerk, George E. Boyden ; first sergeant,
W^illiam H. Drury ; second sergeant, Harvey B. Wilder ; third sergeant, M. V. B.
Richardson; fourth sergeant, William B. White; fifth sergeant, Charles H. Harvey;
sixth sergeant, William A. Gile, Esq. ; seventh sergeant, Nathaniel Paine ; Eighth ser-
geant, Frank A. Leland.

Original and Charter members, 1876. — Charles A. Allen, Edwin Ames, Edward E.
Andrews, Joseph AI. Ballard, George E. Barton, George A. Bates, Joseph N. Bates, Ar-
thur M. Bigelow, Charles A. Bigelow, Charles E. Black, Frank T. Blackmer, Charles
H. Bowker, George E. Boyden, William F. Brabrook, George W. Brady, Lucius L,
Brigham, John K. Brown, George B. Buckingham, Fred A. Chase, John S. Clark, El-
lery B. Crane, Ossian T. Crawford, Percy Daniels, William H. Drury, Henry W. Eddy,
William F. Ewell, George E. Fairbanks, Henry T. Farrar, A. W. Fuller, Emory W.
Gates, William A. Gile, Silas W. Goddard, William S. Goodell, Ransom M. Gould, Rev.
Edward H. Hall, George H. Harlow, George B. Harris, Charles H. Harvey, L. A.
Hastings, Samuel Hathaway, Henry G. Hayden, George F. Hewett, William D. Hol-
brook, William S. B. Hopkins, William F. Hudson.

Henry J. Jennings, William W. Johnson, John W. Jordan, William S. Jourdan,
Frank H. Kelly, George P. Kendrick, L. C. Kenney, Emerson P. Knight, Frank A.
Knowlton, Frank E. Lancaster, Frank A. Leland, A. Beaman Lovell, William Mc-
Cready, John N. Morse, Jr., William Alunroe, Frank A. Newton, George M. Newton,
John C. Newton, James A. Norcross, Nathaniel Paine. Charles G. Parker, David Park-
er, Edward P. Pevey, William L. Plaisted, Willard F. Pond, Henry S. Pratt, Edward
Prince, Otis E. Putnam, Edward J. Putnam, M. V. B. Richardson, William H. Robin-
son, Charles E. San ford. Nelson R. Scott, Albert E. Smith, Henry E. Smith, Joseph
A. Smith, Herbert L. Stockwell, William G. Strong, Elisha W. Sweet.

Ransom C. Taylor, R. Fred Taylor, Joseph A. Titus, AL E. Walker, A. M. Warn-
er, Alfred D. Warren, W. Ansel Washburn, Fred W. Wellington, Merritt A. Wheeler,
Prescott E. White, William B. White, Charles B. Whiting, Charles F. Whitmore, Geo.
H. Whitney, Harvey B. Wilder, Edwin A. Wood, David AL Woodward.

Other members added in 1877-78-79. — William F. Bacon, Rev. George S. Ball,
Frederick R. Bardwell, Daniel W. Bemis, James W. Bigelow, Sylvester Bothwell, Wil-
liam H. Burnett, George A. Carter, Edwin Chapin, David B. Chase, Charles A. Clarke,
Chas. H. Cleveland, Peter L. Conniffe, George W. Coombs, Mirick H. Cowden, Wil-
liam H. Crawford, David Davis, George C. Dewhurst, D. Marshall Doane, Charles H.
Ellsworth, Charles P. Fisher, Edward S. Fiske, Louis Friendly, Edward E. Frost, Ja-

AND ITS PEOPLE 649

laam Gates, William H. Gay, Daniel N. Gibbs, Charles E. Grant, Stephen E. Greene,
Moses Gross.

Charles N. Hair, Augustus Hamblett, George F. Harvvood, Robert Hay, Charles
E. Hellyar, Charles A. Hill, Charles D. Holmes, Fred F. Hopkins, George S. Hoppin,
A. B. F. Kinney, Charles Lalime, Rev. Charles M. Lamson, Nathaniel S. Liscomb, Al-
fred S. Lowell, Samuel W. Manning, William H. Maynard, Alden C. Moore, Lucius
A. Murdock, A. D. Norcross, William A. Piper, A. P. Pond, Henry C. Pyne, Edward
J. Russell, Thomas S. Sloan, Ezra S. Snow, Edward H. Stark, Rolla N. Stark, E. E.
Stone, Charles D. Thayer, Ellis Thayer, Lyman B. Vaughn, George F. Verry, Charles
A. Waite, Lewis Ware, Courtland T. Webb, Joseph F. Wicks.

The uniform of the Continentals was copied exactly from the uni-
form worn by Rev. Joseph Sumner of Shrewsbury, a soldier in the Rev-
olution, even the shoe and knee buckles being reproduced.

Among the organizations who have entertained the Continentals
during their many trips abroad are the following :

Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Boston, in 1876, 1881, and at various
other times when delegations have been invited to participate with them in their an-
nual celebrations.

The Boston Tigers, Company K, ist Regiment, M. V. M., 1882.

The Boston Fusileer Veteran Association, 1894.

The National Lancers, Boston, 1893.

The Boston Light Infantry Veteran Association, 1893.

First Light Infantry Regiment, Providence, 1880-1888.

First Light Infantry Veteran Association, Providence, 1876-1884 and 1886, and
on other occasions.

United Train Artillery, Providence 1883-1889-1900.

Newport Veteran Artillery Company, 1876-1880.

Governor's Foot Guard, Hartford, 1882- 1884- 1889.

Putnam Phalanx, Hartford, 1882, 1884, 1889, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1902, 1904, 1908,
1912.

The Old Guard of New York, 1876, 1879, 1891.

The Albany Burgesses Corps, Albany, N. Y., 1877, 1885, 1887.

The Saratoga Citizens Corps, 22d Separate Co., N. Y. N. G., 1878, 1881, 1882, 1887.

The Philadelphia State Fencibles, 1890.

The Continental Guards, of New Orleans, 1880.

The Amoskeag Veterans, Manchester, N. H., 1885, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1908,
and on other occasions.

Kansas City Veterans, G. A. R., 1894.

Second Corps Cadets, Salem, 1893.

Newburyport Veteran Artillery Association, 1892.

The Highland Cadets of Montreal, P. Q., 1900.

Royal Troops of the Citadel and Colonel Wilson, Quebec, 1890.

Lexington Minute Men, Lexington, Mass., 1913.

Among the memorable trips of the Continentals may be mentioned
that of 1907, when four similar organizations joined the Continentals in
the pilgrimage to Concord, with the governors of three states. After
returning to Boston there was a parade and a review on Boston Com-
mon. The visit to Hartford to attend the dedication of the Memorial

650 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Bridge was an historic occasion, and the visit to that city in 1911 was an
exceedingly festive day.

In June, 1907, the Continentals were selected by Gen. Nelson A.
Miles as his escort in the parade during Old Home Week in Boston. In
September, 190T, a delightful trip to Maine was made. In 1909 they
went to Washington and took part in the inauguration parade, notwith-
standing the great storm that prevented many organizations from tak-
ing part in the ceremonies of the day.

During the southern trip in 191G a drum of the 13th \'a. Regt. taken
in the Civil War and given to the Continentals by Dr. A. F. Wheeler of
this city was presented with much ceremony to the Daughters of the.
Confederacy in Richmond.

Very early in the career of the Continentals they established a lasting reputation
as hosts, when, on October 2 and 3, 1876, they had the pleasure of acting as escort to
the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, during that command's pilgrimage,
which in 1876 was to Worcester.

Since this time the corps has received here and entertained the Saratoga Citizens'
Corps, Albany Burgesses Corps, United Train of Artillery, Providence ; Second Corps
of Cadets, Salem; First Light Infantry of Providence; Putnam Phalanx, Hartford;
Amoskeag Veterans, Manchester; both first and second companies of Governor's Foot
Guard, Hartford and New Haven ; Newburyport Veteran Artillery Company, Boston
Light Infantry Association, Fusileer Veteran Association, as organizations, and on
many occasions have had as honored guests delegations from these and other kindred
associations.

Two Hundredth Anniversary. — One of the most notable occurrences in Worcester
in which the Continentals took a prominent part, was at the time of the celebration of
the two hundredth anniversary of the naming of the town of Worcester, on October 14
and 15, 1884.

On this occasion the Continentals had as special guests the full command of First
Company, Governor's Foot Guard of Hartford, with Colt's famous band, some over
125 men and band, and the corps was accorded the distinguished honor of having the
right of the line of parade as escort to the chief marshal, General Tosiah Pickett.

Other notable occasions when the corps has rendered distinguished service at
home have been the escort to President Rutherford B. Hayes, Aug. 23. 1877 ; escort to
Governor Alexander H. Rice, Sept. 5, 1878, and escort to General William T. Sher-
man, Sept. 5, 1881.

In April, 1904, the Continentals were honored by the presence as a guest of General
Nelson A. Miles, then in command of the United States army, and on April ig, 1905,
they received and entertained Rear-Admiral Lamberton of the United States navy. The
following year, on April 19, 1906, the corps had as special guests, Rear-Admiral Cogh-
lan of the navy. His Excellency, Governor Curtis Guild, and Hon. William Wyndham,
British consul at Boston.

Dedication of Tablet. — One of the notable achievements of the Continentals and
which will remain as a lasting memorial of the corps, was the erection of a han3some
bronze tablet, marking the spot where General George Washington stopped for rest
and refreshment during his passage through Worcester on his trip from Philadelphia
to Cambridge, July i, 1775.

This tablet rests upon the outer walls of what is now Poli's theatre on Elm street,
and is the site of what was in revolutionary times the spot on which the famous

AND ITS PEOPLE 651

Stearns' tavern was conducted. The place is better known as the site of the old Lin-
coln house.

The tablet is in plain view of passers by and has been commented on by authorities
on such work as one of the best designed and wrought tablets ever erected. The tablet
was placed by the Continentals April 19, 1915.

The list of organizations with whom there has been an interchange of courtesies
serves to show the widespread acquaintance enjoyed by the Continentals as an organi-
zation and the high regard entertained for its membership in the ranks of kindred as-
sociations throughout the country.

The commanders of the Continentals, past and present, have been as follows:
Lieut. Col. William S. B. Hopkins, 1876-1886 and 1889-1891. Lieut. Col. Edward J.
Russell, 1886. Lieut. Col. Henry E. Smith, 1886-1889. Lieut. Col. Aaron S. Taft, 1891-
1892. Lieut. Col. Nathan Taylor, 1893. Lieut. Col. William A. Gile, 1894-1898. Lieut.
Col. Phineas L. Rider, 1899-1900. Lieut. Col. Rufus B. Dodge, 1901-1904. Lieut-Col.
George H. Harlow, 1905-1906. Lieut. Col. William A. Lytle, 1907-1910. Lieut. Col.
Charles S. Holden, 191 1. Lieut. Col. J. Edmund Thompson, 1912-1913. Lieut. Col.
Frank L. Coes, 1914.

Annual parades have been held either at home or in places visited by the corps,
and whether as guests to visitors from abroad or being entertained by other military
bodies, the Worcester Continentals have borne themselves in a manner to reflect credit
upon themselves and the city of Worcester.

It has been the custom of the corps to fittingly celebrate such days as Washington's
birthday, Feb. 22, Patriots' Day, April 19, Bunker Hill Day, June 17, and Independence
Day, July 4th, by parades, open house during the noonday or by exercises in the even-
ing, and on more than one occasion such observances have been participated in by high
public officials and the public generally. At such times the hospitality of the corps has
been unbounded.

In an historical sketch of the Continentals written by Adjt. Herbert
Adams and published in the Worcester Evening Gazette, March 29,
1916, he gives special credit to the founder, to Lt. Col. George H. Har-
low, to whom "more than to any other member is credit due for a longer
period of untiring, loyal service as clerk and commander than any other
member, joining in 1876 and remaining a member until he died; and to
Lt. Col. Hopkins, who was longest in command." For an account of
Lt. Col. Coes and most of the other commanders, see the biographical
section.

CHAPTER XXXVII

European War — The First Worcester Soldiers in France — Training
School — Financial Contributions in 1917-18 — Volunteers

The Worcester Military Training School. — In preparation for the
war that seemed inevitable in 1915, a Worcester MiHtary Training School
was formed in the winter of 1915-16, and three companies numbering
from 60 to 100 each were drilled by officers volunteering for the purposes
— Major Warren, Captains Foley, Weeden, Burr, Herbert and others ;
Lieuts. H. W. Robbins, J. W. O'Connor, H. R. Hoyle, A. P. Trombly, A.

F. Murray, H. L. Searles, G. A. Corbin, John A. Jones. (For roster, see
Wor. Mag. 1916, p. 55). Many of the leading business and professional
men belonged to these companies.

Officers Trained at Plattsburg. — The following officers trained at
Plattsburg, N. Y., received commissions dated August 10, 1917:

Captains of Infantry. — Second company — James E. Higgins of Worcester, Charles

G. Bowker of Worcester, and Sherman O. Haight of Worcester, all in the infantry
section, officers' reserve corps. Third company — Robert E. Nugent of Worcester, in
the infantry section, officers' reserve corps. Fifth company — Norman Harrower of
Worcester, in the infantry section, officers' reserve corps. Sixth company — Leslie C.
Wells of Worcester, infantry, in the new national army.

Captains of Cavalry — First troop— Lawrence Ewing of Worcester, in the cavalry
section, officers' reserve corps.

Captains of Field Artillery. — First battery — Marvin C. Taylor of Worcester, in the
field artillery section, officers' reserve corps.

First Lieutenants of Infantry. — Second company — Haskell Williams of Worcester,
in the infantry section, officers' reserve corps. Fifth company — Daniel W. Lincoln of
Worcester, in the infantry section, officers' reserve corps.

First Lieutenants of Field Artillery. — Third battery — Horace Wyman of Worces-
ter, in the field artillery section, officers' reserve corps.

First Lieutenants of Ordnance Department. — Ordnance Department — Herbert K.
Cummings of Worcester, in the ordnance department, national army.

Second Lieutenants of Infantry.— First company — Sylva C. Lachapelle of Worces-
ter, in the infantry section, officers' reserve corps. Second company — Walter H. But-
ler of Worcester, in the new national army. Third company — Thomas J. Sinnott of
Worcester and Harold M. Paine, of Worcester, in the infantry section, offi-
cers' reserve corps. Fourth company — Samuel W. Fernberger of Worces-
ter, and Roland M. Cook of Worcester^ all in the infantry section, officers' reserve
corps. Fifth company — Thornton R. Stenberg of Worcester, in the infantry section,
officers' reserve corps. Sixth company— Sergt. Robert W. Love, Co. G, Ninth Massa-
chusetts Regiment, of Worcester, in the infantry section, officers' reserve corps. Eighth
company — Frederick E. Bond of Worcester and Councilman Philip D. Wesson of
Worcester, in the infantry section, officers' reserve corps, George C. Phipps of Wor-
cester, in the new national army.

Second Lieutenants of Cavalry. — First troop — Richard H. Mooney, of Worcester,
in the cavalry section, officers' reserve corps.

654 HISTORY OF WORCESTER
, •

Second Lieutenants of Field Artillery.— First battery— Philip F. Coe of Worces-
ter, Lincoln H. Dean of Worcester, in the new field artillery section, officers' reserve
corps. Second battery— Miles S. Perkins of Worcester, in the field artillery section,
officers' reserve corps. Third battery— Richard K. Hutchins of Worcester, in the field
artillery section officers' reserve corps.

Second Lieutenants of Quartermaster's Corps. — Florence A. Donohue of Worces-
ter in the quartermaster's corps, new national army.

Second Lieutenants of Adjutant General's Dept. — Arthur G. Giroux of Worcester,
in the statistical section, adjutant general's department, national army.

For the regular army. — Louis S. Stickney of Worcester, in the infantry section,
officers' reserve corps. • Richards.

Nineteenth Regiment. — Folluwing is the complete Hst of field and
staff officers of the 19th regiment, Massachusetts State Guard, of which
the three Worcester companies are a part:

Colonel, Harry C. Young, Worcester ; lieutenant- colonel, Lewis M. McCallum,
Worcester; major. First Battalion, Delevan R. Nichols, Worcester; major, Second Bat-
talion, Frank V. Gilson, Fitchburg; major, Third Battalion, Samuel H. Tuttle, Con-
cord; captain, adjutant, Herbert L. Adams, Worcester; captain, supply officer, Arthur
A. Brigham, Worcester; captain, chaplain, Rev. Henry Stiles Bradley, D. D., Worces-
ter; major, chief medical officer. Dr. Curtis H. Jennings, Fitchburg; captain, medical
officer. Dr. Charles A. Sparrow, Worcester ; captain, medical officer, Dr. Roy J. Ward,.
Worcester ; lieutenant, medical officer. Dr. O. V. Wells, Westford ; lieutenant, battalion
adjutant, First Battalion, Clarence F. Potter, Worcester; lieutenant, battalion adjutant.
Second Battalion, Claude D. Beadle, Leominster.

Headquarters Company — Sergeant-major, regimental, Ralph H. Whitney, Wor-
cester; sergeant-major. First Battalion, W. H. Fletcher, Worcester; Sergeant-major,
Second Battalion, Russell Lowe, Fitchburg; color sergeant, U. S. Colors, E. Walter
Smith, Worcester ; first sergeant, George F. Chambers, Worcester ; supply sergeant,
Paul D. Howard, Clinton ; corporal, Fred L. Haven, Worcester.

Supply Company — Lieutenant, Otis C. White, Worcester ; supply sergeant, Edward.
J. Martin, Worcester; first sergeant, Henry E. Morse, Worcester.

In the year 1917 there were 18-il volunteers in the army at the
recruiting station in this city.

Financial Record of 1917. — Worcester people have contributed, since
the war began in Europe, through all agencies and channels, up to the
present day, $35,692,530. This is a per capita contril)Ution of $219.33
based on the state census of 1915, which gave Worcester a population
of 163,697 and a per capita contribution of $190.37 based on the present
municipal water census for this year, which gave Worcester's population
as 187,492.

Naturally the bulk of this vast sum is represented in subscrip-
tions to the two Liberty Loan issues, which total $34,297,900, showing
that $1,394,630 was otherwise contributed by the Worcester public
through war relief funds for various sufferers abroad, including the Bel-
gian, Armenian, Syrian, Serbian, Jewish, French and English, and the
special war funds of the Red Cross and agencies working for the Ameri-
can soldiers.

AND ITS PEOPLE

655

Previous to the entry of the United States into the war that April,
the people of Worcester, through the several war relief funds raised for
war sufferers in Europe, had given approximately $205,106. Of course
the great outpouring of wealth came when America became ranged
against German autocracy, and the achievements since then have been
magnificent in the giving of money.

The Red Cross membership fund made this city a Red Cross strong-
hold with over 60,000 members. The Second Liberty Loan put the city
into the highest class of municipalities of less than 200.000. The Y. M.
C. A. war fund campaign was carried to triumph in this city with a swift-
ness and generosity that stands out from the common run. The Y. W.
C. A. campaign was most unique of all, for the gifts in cash of those inter-
ested exceeded the city's quota a week before the date for the campaign
to start.

Exactly 21 different channels of giving have received the unreserved
support of Worcester people since the war began. And this immense
wave of war giving followed right on the heels of a period of less than
three years in which Worcester lavishly upheld other public causes,
including the fund for the building of the new Boys' Club house, the big
Y. M. C. A. new building fund, the clearing off of the mortgage on the
G. A. R. memorial hall and the raising of funds for the Girls' Club.

The complete list of war contribution through channels of all sorts
and the total in round numbers which Worcester has given throuo-h
each in 1817 is as follow^s :

First Liberty Loan $11,543,600

Second Liberty Loan 22,754,300

Red Cross, special war fund

membership campaign and

Christmas gift fund 750,000

Y. M. C. A. war fund 390,000

Armenian and Syrian relief,

raised in city at large and

among Armenian residents. 7^,72>^

Jewish sufferers fund 50,000

American Fund for French

wounded 34,800

Worcester branch. Surgical

Dressings Committee 21,535

Y. W. C. A. Hostess Houses

fund 16,950

Prince of Wales fund, amount

sent to England 10,000

Soldiers' Library fund 8,300

Clark College Ambulance unit 7,000

Soldiers' War Relief fund. . . . 6,736

Belgian Relief fund

K. of C. members' contribu-
tion to K. of C. war fund. . .

Serbian Relief fund

French and Belgian Children's
fund

Children of America fund,
amount contributed by Wor-
cester public school children.

Guardian Children's fund (in
box fund)

Evening Post Tobacco fund.

Salvation Army War Relief
fund

6,500

5,000
3,500

2,857

2,046

1,203
1,000

500

Total $35,692,530

Amount given outside Liberty Loans,
$1,394,630.

Per capita contribution, $219,338, based
on state census ; $190,373, based on mu-
nicipal water census.

Battery E, 101st Field Artillery, U. S. A.— Battery E. the new Wor-
cester command of the Massachusetts Field Artillery, now of the 101st

656

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

was the first unit of the 2nd battalion to be organized, following the
orders for the formation of various batteries throughout the state. Under
the direction of Capt. John F. J. Herbert of Battery B and Capt. Arthur
P. Trombley of the new command, Battery E was organized in seven
days to a peace strength of 126 men. Later came the orders to recruit
to a war footing and within five days the battery had a roster of 190, the
first command of the battalion to reach a war strength.

The battery was organized on May 12 with Capt. Trombley as com-
mander. He was a member of Battery B for 18 years and 7 months. He
was appointed a corporal in 1900, a sergeant in 1901, a second
lieutenant in 1901, and a first lieutenant in 1915. Romeo A. Gravel,
who was elected senior first lieutenant, served eight years in Bat-
tery B., having been appointed a corporal in 1911, a sergeant in 1912
and first sergeant in 1916. John D. Power, the other first lieu-
tenant, was a member of Battery B for a year and on July 1, 1916,
was named a corporal. On May 2 of this year, he was appointed a ser-
geant. Andrew W. Thompson, the senior 2nd lieutenant was a member
of Battery B for seven years. He was appointed a corporal in 1912 and
a sergeant in 1914. Winslow S. Lincoln, the other 2nd lieutenant, was a
member of Battery B for a year and was named a corporal on April 25.
Following is a complete roster of the new battery :

Capt. Arthur P. Trombley, First Lieut. Romeo A. Gravel, First Liept. John D.
Power, Second Lieut. Andrew W. Thompson, Second Lieut. Winslow S. Lincoln, First
Sergt. S. Fruendenthal, Supply Sergt. Fred J. Fitzgerald, Privates Alvin L. Abbott, Al-
fred R. Allen, Harold G. Allen, Edw. Roy Anderson, James H. Anderson, Albert L
Arnold, Valmore Barbeau, Harold W. Beams, Alfred E. Belanger, Philip L. Belisle,
A. J. Beauregard, George L. Benoit, Ray C. Bezanson, Peter Bimeau, Henry E. Bol-
duc, Arthur H. Boyle, Fred J. Bogle, William J. Brick, Arthur J. Brigham, Charles H.
Brisson, Daniel Brocklebank, Arthur Broadbent, John J. Bresnihan, Arthur W. Brown,
Everett W. Brown, Robert M. Brown, James S. Brown, W. E. Brown, Jr., S. P. Bruin-
soma, William J. Buckley, Harold R. Burbank, John H. Buckley.

Lean J. Caisse, William L. Carpenetr, Charles H. Carroll, William E. Carroll, How-
ard F. Carson, E. J. Champigny, William H. Clark, H. J. Collette, John P. Connor,
Henry A. Comtois, Raymond A. Copp, Ralph L. Coskey, Ralph A. Corey, Wilfred E.
Cote, James Crother.

Alfred J. Demers, Joseph R. Donnais, Harry E. Dow, John J. Dresser, Peter F.
Durkin, E. E. Dursthoff.

Theo. R. Edson, Harry Evans.

Nils Frostholm, H. J. Fenner, Edw. R. Fenner, S. K. Firmin, J. J. Fitzgerald, R. J.
Fontaine, Albert J. Fortier, Albert J. Fortin, Alex J. Eraser, Charles G. French, Thom-
as F. Furey.

Joseph F. Gaudette, Harris A. Geroux, George R. Giddings, William E. Gilinsky,
Winslow H. Goff, Luther F. Grout, Francis W. Gully, Fredercik Grove.

M. W. Hasseltine, Clio G. Haywood, Enos A. Harpcll, Sandy L. Harpell, Ector
Heon, Fred H. Hinckley, William J. Horgan, Edw. A. Houghton, James H. Houghton.

Frank E. Ingraham, James E. Irwin.

Arvid Johnson, George A. Johnson.

George J. Keating, John J. Kennedy, William J. Kentile, Walter F. Knox.

AND ITS PEOPLE 657

Alex J. Labossiere, Henry J. LaDuke, Leo J. LaFrance, Herman E. Langson, Ern-
est J. Lalonc, Jerry S. Laporte, Ernest E. LaBranche, Harold C. Lamb, Harold E. Law-
rence, William C. Lavalle, Gordon L. Leary, George A. LeClair, George F. Levsque,
Carl A. Lygdman, Paul H. Lundborg, Joseph Lynch, George J. Legasey, Carl J. Lind-
berg, Earle E. Lovejoy.

Joseph R. Madden, Joseph J. Malone, Ray G. Mansfield, Frederick L. Mayo, Nel-
son E. Mayo, Floyd D. McCutchen, James P. McDonnell, Edw. W. McGee, Samuel D.
McGill, James E. McNamara, Philip L. Millay, Robert E. Miller, Roland C. Millett,
Charles E. Miles, Charles Minneym, Clarence R. Mitchell, Michael F. Moore, John G.
Moylan, Frederick W. Munch, William P. Murphy.

Leon E. Newton, Frederick W. Nystrom.

Walter N. Obershaw, George F. Oster.

Ernest L. Paranto, Henry J. Perry, Willis C. Perry, Gotfried P. Person, William
H. Pettis, William W. Phelps, Charles M. Phillips, Frank Pickering, Irwin G. Pilet,
Omer Potvin, John J. Power, Arthur W. Price, Theo. F. X. Proulx, Charles L. Pru-
neau, Frederick J. Putnam.

Walter Adams Rand. Samuel E. Rambo, Wallace H. Redstone, Edward J. Rich-
ards, Carl W. Ringquist, Rosario E. Rochitte, Evald C. Rosene.

Mesrop Saragian, Leon A. Sargent, Guy Leander Seeley, Nathan Shatsoff, Ralph
W. Sibley, Cecil E. Simpson, George N. Snow, Samuel S. Spencer, Charles B. Stevens,
Harold A. Stevens, Frederick E. Stoddard, John E. Strandberg.

Charles F. Terrill, Wayne A. Thompson, William J. Thompson, Eric A. Thoreen,
Chetwood F. Treen, Harold L. Tyler.

Charles M. Valley, John W. Vandenberg.

Mathew J. Walsh, David J. Walsh, Thomas E. Watson, Frank K. Way, Arthur H.
Whitehead, George H. Whittaker, Frank Whitworth, Samuel Wentworth, Norman
Wills, William E. R. Witson, Clarence D. Wood, Harold S. Wood, Edward B. Writer.

Frank Zinkieweiz.

Physicians in the Service. — The following (revised May 1, 1918),
list includes not only the doctors in service in training camps in France,
but those physicians who are examining for the local and advisory
boards. The Worcester district doctors in service are :

U. S. Army — Medical Officers' Reserve Corps, (a) on active duty: Dr. Howard
Beal, Dr. Edward B. Bigelow, Dr. Frank W. George, Dr. Roger Kinnicutt, Dr. E. B.
Simmons, Dr. Wm. E. Denning, Dr. Willard Lemaire, Dr. James J. Goodwin of Clin-
ton, Dr. Chester C. Beckley of Lancaster, Dr. Roger Scofield, Dr. Merrick Lincoln, Dr.
George C. Lincoln, Dr. E. F. Phelan of North Brookfield, Dr. R. S. New^ton of West-
boro, Dr. Wm. J. Fay, Dr. A. K. Yoosuf, Dr. James V. May (honorably discharged),
Dr. Samuel C. Gwynne, Dr. Harry P. Cahill, Dr. Israel Laurier, Dr. Donald Gilfillan,
Dr. D. F. O'Connor, Dr. Homer Gage, Dr. D. A. Thom, Dr. Kendall Emerson, Dr.
Frank E. Harriman, Dr. Elisha S. Lewis of Princeton, Dr. J. W. Ledbury of Uxbridge,
Dr. W. A. Maclntire. Dr. Frank T. Oberg, Dr, H. L. Simmons, Dr. Willard P. Staple-
ton, Dr. George Watt.

Commissioned but not yet called to active duty — Dr. George T. Little, Uxbridge,
Dr. Charles Salmon, Dr. David Bridgewood, Dr. Gordon Berry.

StafT officer 104th Infantry — Dr. Joseph O'Connor.

U. S. navy — Dr. Gilbert Haigh, Dr. Linwood Johnson, Dr. Thomas Courtney, Dr.
Joseph L. Lannois, Northboro, Dr. Winthrop Adams.

Massachusetts state guard — Dr. Peter O. Shea, Dr. L. F. Woodward, Dr. C. A.

W.— 1-42.

658 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Sparrow, Dr. Roy J. Ward. Dr. Frank L. Magune. Dr. George F. H. Bowers, Dr. Edw.
H. Mackay, Clinton.

English army (Harvard unit)— Dr. Kendall Emerson, now in U. S. army. Dr.
Oliver Stansfield, Dr. Stanley Bridges, Dr. George Watt, now in U. S. army.

English hospitals— Dr. Albert O. Raymond, Dr. William H. AlacKay.

U. S. selection service (a) local boards— Dr. James C. Austin, Spencer, Dr. Edw.
W. Balmer, Whitinsville, Dr. J. Arthur Barnes, Dr. Frederick Bryant, Dr. John F.
Harkins, Dr. Ernest L. Hunt, Dr. William W. McKibben, Dr. A. J. McCrea, South-
bridge, Dr. George L. Tobey, Clinton.

(b) medical advisory board :

District 15 A— Dr. F. H. Baker, chairman, Dr. B. T. Burley. secretary, Dr. C. D.
Wheeler, Dr. David Harrower, Dr. Philip H. Cook, Dr. William J. Delehanty.

District 15-B— Dr. R. P. Watkins, chairman, Dr. Philip H. Cook, secretary. Dr.
Lester C. Miller, Dr. C. A. Church, Alillbury, Dr. C. T. Estabrook, Dr. B. H. Mason.

District 16— Dr. C. L. French, Clinton, chairman, Dr. Irene M. Morse, Clinton,
secretary, Dr. E. V. Scribner, Dr. J. Barton, Fitchburg, Dr. Charles R. Abbott, Clinton.

Additional examining physicians — local boards : Dr. L. P. Leland, Dr. R. Wil-
liams, Dr. Henry Hartnett, Dr. George F. O'Day, Dr. M. B. Fox, Dr. R. J. Shannahan.
Dr. George T. Little, Uxbridge, Dr. George E. Emery, Dr. R. J. Ward, Dr. John E.
Rice, Dr. F. H. Washburn, Dr. Edward Cooper, Dr. Henry L. McCluskey, Dr. T. C.
JtlcSheehy, Dr. George A. Power, Dr. William Dolan, Dr. George C. Brown, Dr. J. T.
Kennedy, Dr. J. W. McDonald, Dr. E. C. Pochette, Dr. J. W. Cahill, Dr. Charles Crois-
sant, Dr. Alfred A. VvHieeler, Leominster, Dr. G. L. Chase, Clinton, Dr. W. E. Currier,
Leominster, Dr. T. A. Shaughnessy, Leominster, Dr. Charles Brigham. Leominster, Dr.
Merton L. Griswold. Uxbridge, Dr. John A. Moynahan, Clinton, Dr. E. H. Mackay,
Clinton.

(b) To advisory boards— Dr. Arthur W. Marsh, Dr. George H. Hill, Dr. War-
ren R. Gilman, Dr. C. A. Sparrow, Dr. Albert E. Cross, Dr. Albert C. Getchell.
American ambulance in Paris — Dr. W. Irving Clark.

Fifty Millions for the War. — Worcester's war contributions have
actually gone well over the $.JO,0()0,000 mark in less than a year.

It seems that w^iile the three Liberty Loans have aggregated $43,-
322,100, which, with the previous loan of $1,500,000 carries the total to
$44,822,100, the banks alone have recently taken certificates in indebted-
ness amounting to $:, 500,000. Add this to $44,822,100 and you have
the grand total of $52,322,100.

Should Worcester's subscriptions to the Third Liberty Loan go to
$10,000,000, as is confidently expected they may, then the grand total of
Worcester's war work and aid to the government will be boosted to
$53,297,900.

Worcester had contributed before May T, 1918, to the combined
Liberty Loans, first, second and third issues, $43,322,100. For the first
issue, Worcester's allotment was $9,690,000. and the subscription was
$11,543,000.

For the Second Liberty Loan, Worcester's minimum allotment was
$13,000,000 and the total of all subscriptions, $22,754,300.

The publicity feature of the campaign was in the hands of William
Radclifi"e, the executive secretarv of the Worcester branch of the Ameri-

AND ITS PEOPLE 659

can Red Cross. Excellent work was achieved by the Boy Scouts; Al-
hambra Council, Knights of Columbus, and other organizations.

Splendid work has been achieved by the Worcester employees of the
American Steel & Wire Co. in the amount of subscriptions to the Third
Liberty Loan. The final report in the three Worcester plants of the
company gave each plant at 100 per cent., as all the 6,098 employes
bought bonds, the average subscription of each being $102.83.

Li the North Works the 3,373 employes subscribed for Liberty
Bonds to the value of $341,100; in the South Works, 3,316 employes sub-
scribed for Liberty Bonds to the value of $339,850 ; in the Central Works,.
311 employes took bonds to the amount of $32,850; in the district office
the members of the office staff, 198 of them, took Liberty Bonds to the
amount of $33,800; thus the total subscriptions from the 6,098 employes,
aggregate to $637,000.

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

Militafy Memorials — Col. Timothy Bigelow Monument — Civil War
Monument — Gen. Devens Statue — Spanish War Memorials

The Col. Timothy Bigelow Monument. — To the memory of the most
prominent military figure of the town during the Revolution, Col. Tim-
othey Bigelow, a monument was erected on the common by Col. T. Bige-
low Lawrence, of Boston, a descendant and formally dedicated April 19,
18C1, the 86th anniversary of the battle of Lexington. The monument
was designed by^ George Snell of Boston. The marble was imported
from Tuscany. The remains of Col. Bigelow were reinterred under the.
monument.

The past mayors of the city and many distinguished guests were
present at the dedication. Capt. D. Waldo Lincoln was marshal of the
parade, wdiich moved through the principal streets. Col. Lawrence him-
self made the sp>eech of presentation, expressing his pleasure at the mag-
nificent cooperation of citizens and city in dedicating the monument. In
behalf of the city Mayor Isaac Davis responded. The feature of the day
was the address of the venerable Ex-Governor Levi Lincoln. He said : '

"It may be expected of me, one of the few, the very few, of the living, who have
ever looked upon the person of Colonel Bigelow, that I should give such reminiscences,
of him as 1 have, imperfect and unimportant though they be. I well recollect as though
it were yesterday lis tall, erect and commanding figure, his martial air, his grave and
rather severe countenance, his dignified and earnest address. I cannot doubt the re-
spect and deference with which he was universally regarded; for it was among the
most positive injimetions of the antiquated district schoolmistress to the boys o'f my
day, enforced even hy the fear of the rod, that we should always 'pull off our hats to
Parson Bancroft and Colonel Bigelow.' At the time of his death and for many years
after, I often heard him spoken of as a gallant old soldier and the thoroughly accoml
plished officer; and now after the lapse of seventy-one years from his burial in the
same vernal season of the fragrance of the budding flower and the gushing melody of
birds, I stand, ^an aged man, again at his grave, to remember and to honor him."

Rev. Dr. Andrew Bigelow and Hon. John P. Bigelow both of Bos-
ton, descendants, also spoke. The latter presented a dozen ball cart-
ridges made for Col. Bigelow's regiment in this town, and said he had
tried some of the powder that morning and it flashed brilliantly after
being kept 8-1 years. Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas, grandson of "^Isaiah
Thomas, and Tyler Bigelow a nephew of the colonel, were the last speak-
ers.. (Lincoln's History, p. 399 Hersey's addition).

The Soldiers Monument.— In his inaugural address in January, 1866
Mayor James B. Blake suggested the erection of a monument to' those
who lost their lives in the War for the Union. A special committee con-

662 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

sisting of the Mayor, Aldermen O. K. Earle. Jerome Marble; Coimcil-
men \V. E. Starr. John S. Baldwin, Edward L. Davis and Samuel E.
Hildreth, was appointed to consider the subject, and this committee
called a public meeting in Mechanics Hall, held Feb. 10, 186G.

A canvassing committee committee of twenty-eight, of which George
W. Richardson was treasurer, was appointed, and the mayor, two alder-
men and seven councilmen were subsequently added. The fund
amounted to $11, -^42.40, according to the treasurer's report. Sept. 5, 1867,
and with some changes in the committee the work of raising funds con-
tinued. Ah executive committee was appointed Sept. 28th. 18GG, to pro-
cure i)lans and select a site for the monument. The committee consisted
of James B. Blake, E. B. Stoddard, George Crompton, Oliver K. Earle,
David M. Woodward, R. M. Gould. M. S. McConville, Charles A. Chase
and Joseph Chase. The design of Gambrill & Richardson, architects, of
New'York, was accepted. Edward L. Davis and Henry A. Marsh were
added to the executive committee. June 25, 1871, and George Crompton
elected chairman of the general committee in place of ]\Iayor Blake,
deceased. The model in clay by Randolph Rogers was accepted Nov.
8, 1871. Post No. 10, G. A. R., approved of the action of the committee.
To the sum of $15,000 then in hand, the city added an appropriation of
$35,000 Nov. 20, 1871. The site on the Common was granted by the city
council, March 30, 1874.

The monument was dedicated with imposing ceremony, July 15,
1874. Addresses were made by Chairman George Crompton, Hon. Alex-
ander H. Bullock, Gen. Charles Devens, Mayor Davis and Gen. Burn-
side. These are printed in a book subsequently published by the monu-
ment committee, giving a full account of the dedication. Gen. Josiah
Pickett was chief marshal of the day. Other guests were: Vice-presi-
dent Henry Wilson, Hon. George S. Boutwell, Congressmen Alvah
Crocker, Ginery Twitchell, J. M. S. Williams, George F. Hoar and La-
fayette S. Foster; Gen. John W. Kimball, Gen. A. B. Underwood and
Hon. George B. Loring, president of the Massachusetts Senate.

The monument is 65 feet high, its base nineteen feet and a half;
of Westerly granite. Four bronze statues representing infantry, artil-
lery, cavalry and navy, adorn the four corners ; the names o'f 398 soldiers
and sailors, to whom the memorial was erected, are inscribed on bronze
tablets on the four sides. On the west side is another inscription:
"Erected by the people of Worcester in Memory of Her Sons who Died
for the Unity of the Republic." The monument also has a medallion of
Gov. John A. Andrew; a bas-relief of a dying soldier, and another of
Lincoln. On the third section there are bronze plates bearing the seal
of the city, the coat-of-arms of the Commonwealth, a wreath of laurel
and crossed swords, and the national coat-of-arms. The statue of Vic-
tory surmounts the monument.

Battle Flags. — The original flags carried by the Worcester Regi-

AND ITS PEOPLE

663

ments— the loth, 21st, 25th, 34th, 36th, 51st and 57th in the War for the
Union, are preserved in a cabinet in City Hall.

Wdi- 0/ mt Fltbslliori.

ri>-who Ud ttiV Wijr<tjrf.rj

' Battle of^
atHKiViry

•■Dedication
- armt^

Wtrt/oin^ 0(1

"thfe
WORCtJTeR

LKtHT

IriFANTRy

on-ffTtir
WAy to

WA)H!r((iTort

The General Devens Statue.— An equestrian statue to honor Gen.
Charles Devens and the soldiers who went from Worcester county in the
War of the Union, was erected in front of the county court house in this
city, and unveiled with appropriate ceremony July 4, 1906. Gen. Devens
was the most distinguished officer from this city in the war. (See
biography).

The movement to erect this memorial began in 1891 at the sugges-
tion of Senator George F. Hoar. Ten years later an act was passed by
the legislature authorizing towns and cities of the county to contribute
funds toward the erection of this monument, and appointing as a com-
mission under the act: George F. Hoar, J. Evarts Greene, Herbert
Parker, Nathaniel Paine, Emerson Stone, Rufus B. Dodge, Daniel Mer-
riman and Edward J. Russell. The places of Senator Hoar, Postmaster
Greene and County Commissioner Stone, removed by death, were filled
by Gen. William F. Draper of Hopedale, Major Edward T. Raymond,
and County Commissioner George W. Cook. The county gave the sum
of $5,000, and a majority of the towns contributed. Large sums were
given by various residents of the county, and smaller contributions from
thousands of citizens swelled the total. The sculptors were D. C. French
and E. C. Potter. George D. Webb executed the base. The total cost
was $40,000.

At the dedication, July 4, 1906, Gov. Curtis Guild Jr. represented
the Commonwealth. The speech of presentation to the countv was

664

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

made by Gen. W. F. Draper, and that of acceptance by County Com-
missioner Warren Goodale. Gen. Stewart L. Woodford delivered an
oration. Previous to the dedication a military parade under Chief Mar-
shal Maj. Edward T. Raymond included the militia, the veterans of the
Civil War under Gen. Charles W. Wood. There were 140 men in line
in Gen. Devens's old regiment (the loth) under Gen. John W. Kimball,
of Fitchburg. There were 190 men in the Devens brigade under Col. M.
W\ Taylor of Plainfield. N. J. Among the distinguished guests were
Secretary of War William H. Taft and Lt. Gov. Eben S. Draper.

The inscriptions on the monument give the number of soldiers fur-
nished by each town and city in the Civil War; the names of the princi-
pal organizations in the service from this county; a summary of the
public service of Gen. Devens. It is inscribed also: "To General Dev-
ens and the Men of Worcester County in the War for the Union 1861-

1865."

Spanish War Memorials. — Com-
mander Daniel E. Denny of Post
10, G. A. R., assisted by Senator
George F. Hoar and Gov. John L.
Bates, succeeded in getting for me-
morial purposes, the grant of a
Spanish cannon from the govern-
ment. This bronze gun, taken at
Santiago, is 11 >4 feet in length,
with a 61^2 inch bore. It was cast
at Sevilla, Spain. May 5, 1T98, and
is inscribed with the royal mono-
gram, etc. It was mounted in the
triangle at Armory Square, the car-
riage being given by George D.
Webb, and was dedicated Dec. 9,
liX)-!-. When the new bronze me-
morial was erected on this site in
1911, the gun was moved to a suit-
al)lc location at the side of the ar-
mory.

The bronze statue in memory of
the Spanish war soldiers, now oc-
cupying the triangle, was designed
and wrought by O'Conner of this
city. It represents a soldier in ac-
SPAXISH WAR MEMORIAL, tion. and is perhaps the most artis-

Army Square. ^j^, memorial in the city. It was

dedicated with elaborate exercises, .\]iril IT. 191 :.

CHAPTER XXXIX

Independence Day

The following paper by Mrs. Ada S. Nutt, enttiled "Fourth of July
Celebrations in Worcester," was read at a meeting of Col. Timothy
Bigelow Chapter, D. A. R., Nov. 3, lUO!) :

The object of this paper is to give in condensed form the story of the celebration
of Independence Day in Worcester from the birth of our nation up to 1850. Of neces-
sity the celebrations were similar in many respects, but as time went on the display in-
creased, and the festival grew in importance in the public mind. The character of
the celebrations since 1850 is familiar to us all. The parades have grown longer, the
firecrackers have increased tremendously in size, and the noise has grown all out of
proportion to the population, according to the belief of the lovers of quiet. The small
boy of to-day would hardly be satisfied with the single bunch of infinitesimal firecrack-
ers allowed his grandfather in 1850.

The antique or horrible parade is a comparatively new departure, inaugurated since
that date, and was at first called "the studlefunk procession." It was usually held at a
very early hour in the morning, and probably all of us can remember the anticipation
with which we, as children, looked forward to the mysteries of that feature of the
festival. It is still the chief delight of the youth whenever a town decides to have a
public celebration. To-day, in addition to the military display, we have the merchants'
or trades procession, sometimes athletic tournaments, and always the sport which ap-
peals to all good Americans, the ball-game. In other respects, our forefathers spent
the Fourth of July a great deal as we do, with more regard, probably, to the meaning
of the celebration, especially in those first years, during the war, and later, before the
gallant survivors of the fight were gone.

The Declaration of Independence was heard for the first time in Massachusetts,
in our own city of Worcester. Every one is familiar with the story of the messenger
who was speeding toward Boston with the startling news, who was intercepted at Wor-
cester, July 14, 1776, and his message, the Declaration of Independence, read by Isaiah
Thomas from the west porch of the Old South Church. It was heard by a few who
had hurriedly assembled, and for the benefit of the others it was read again the fol-
lowing Sunday by Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, at the close of his sermon. By Monday of
the following week, July 22, 1776, the proper arrangements had been made to give it a
fitting public reception, and it was read again with great rejoicing. The occasion was
so notable that I will read the whole account as printed in the Massachusetts Spy of
July 24 following :

On Monday last a number of patriotic gentlemen of this town, animated with a
love of their country and to show their approbation of the measures lately taken by
the Grand Council of America, assembled on the green near the liberty pole where,
having displayed the colors of the thirteen Confederate colonies of America, the bells
were set a ringing and the drums a beating. After which the Declaration of Independ-
ence of the United States was read to a large and respectable body (among whom
were the selectmen and committee of correspondence assembled on the occasion),
who testified their approbation by repeated huzzas, firing of musketry, and other dem-
onstrations of joy. When the arms of that tyrant in Britain, George the III of ex-
ecrable memory, who in former reigns decorated, but of late disgraced the Court
House in this town, were committed to the flames and consumed to ashes ; after which
a select company of the Sons of Freedom repaired to the Tavern lately known by the

666 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Sign of King's Arms, which odious signature of despotism was taken down by order
of^he people which was cheerfully complied with by the inn-keeper, where the follow-
ing toasts were drank, and the evening spent with joy on the commencement of the
happy area: i. Prosperity and perpetuity to the United States of America. 2. The
President of the Grand Council of America. 3. The Grand Council of America. 4.
His Excellency. General Washington. 5. All the Generals in the American Army. 6.
Commodore Hopkins. 7. The officers and soldiers of the American Army. 8. The
officers and seamen of the American Navy. 9. Patriots of America. 10. Every Friend
of America. 11. George rejected and liberty protected. 12. Success to the American
Arms. 13. Sore eyes to all the Tories, and a chestnut burr for an eyestone. 14. Per-
petual itching without the benefit of scratching, to the enemies of America. 15. The
Council and representatives of the Massachusetts Bay. 16. The officers and soldiers in
the Jklassachusetts service. 17. The memory of the brave General Warren. 18. The
memory of the magnanimous Gen. Montgomery. 19. Speedy redemption to all the
officers and soldiers who are now prisoners of war among our enemies. 20. The state
of Massachusetts Bay. 21. The town of Boston. 22. The selectmen and committee of
correspondence for the town of Worcester. 23. May the enemies of America be laid
at her feet. 24. May the freedom and independence of America endure till the Sun
grows dim with age and this earth returns to chaos. The greatest decency and good
order was observed and at a suitable time each man returned to his respective home
after drinking 24 toasts.

The tavern spoken of was kept by Captain Thomas Sterne, on nearly the spot where
the Lincoln House now stands. He died in 1772, and the inn was kept by. his widow.
It was a favorite meeting place for the tories, and their famous protest of 1774 was
signed here. Later two committees of correspondence also met here. There seems to
have been no formal celebration in 1777-78.

In I77Q the Fourth fell on a Sunday, and the celebration was postponed by the
Sons of Freedom until the Thursday following. The morning was ushered in by
the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon and a display of the Continental flag. At
noon thirteen cannon shots were fired, and in the evening the Court House was illum-
inated with candles, thirteen rockets were fired, and there was a display of other fire-
works, as the Spy said, "greatly to the satisfaction of many respectable and staunch
friends to the common cause of our nation, who were assembled at the Court House
from this and adjacent towns." This was the first time that fireworks were used in the
town to celebrate the day, and the public demonstration must have had a special signifi-
cance, as the war was not yet over.

The next public celebration occurred in 1789, when the custom of having proces-
sions was inaugurated. Major Phineas Jones was in command of a parade consisting
of a company of horse under Captain Denny of Leicester; the Worcester train of ar-
tillery under Captain Stanton; two companies of militia under Captains How and
Heywood. They were reviewed on the Common, and in the evening the officers and a
number of other "private gentlemen (said the paper) sat down to an elegant enter-
tainment, at which toasts suitable to the occasion were drank."

Beginning with the year 1789, there were annual celebrations for several years, al-
though they were not conducted by the town authorities. In 1790, the Fourth falling
on Sunday, Monday was celebrated by the Worcester Artillery Company, which pa-
raded before Mr. Mower's tavern, which stood at the present location of the Walker
building, corner of Mechanic street. At one o'clock they fired a national salute in front
of the Court House, then returned to the tavern and partook of a handsome enter-
ment.

The next year (179O i" addition to the parade, there was an oration by Edward
Bangs, and an original ode was sung. The banquet was at Captain Heywood's inn, on
the site of the Bay State HoUse, where, according to the report, a "very handsome but
economical entertainment was provided, of which they heartily but sociably partook."
There were fireworks in the evening. In 1792 and 1793 this program was duplicated,
with fourteen cannons fired and fourteen toasts drunk, to signify the fourteenth year
of independence, and in 1793 with fifteen. The account of this latter celebration ap-

AND ITS PEOPLE 667

peared in the Spy as follows: "Drank a number of patriotic toasts under the discharge

of cannon; and ; and went home." It said also that a spirit of manly iiidc-

pcndcncc prevailed.

In 1795, Mr. Joseph Allen, Jr., was the orator, and the company dined at Masons'
Hall. The next year, after the usual parade, a procession was formed at Mower's
tavern, and proceeded to the South Meeting House to listen to an oration by Francis
Blake. After a dinner at Mower's, toasts were drunk and cannon fired. The following
year (1797) according to the Spy, "as Aurora rose smiling she was saluted by 16 dis-
charges from the cannon of the x\rtillery Company." The oration was delivered by
Dr. Oliver Fiske at the South Aleeting House, followed by a dinner. The artillery
Company supped at Heywood's tavern, and the seventeenth toast read : "Republicanism
triumphant; and bridles, whips and rods of scorpions for the correction of tyrants.
May their horses stumble at the sound of the trumpet and their ships turn pale at the
sight of an enemy." The last toast was to the "gallant General Bonaparte." The anni-
versary was closed with "decent hilarity."

The South Church saw the celebration of 1798 also, with divine blessing invoked by
Rev. Joseph Sumner of Shrewsbury, and an oration by Rev. Samuel Austin. The
celebrated song, "Adams and Liberty," succeeded the oration, and the custom pre-
vailed for some years of having original odes read or sung as a part of the exercises.
Of the sixteen toasts proposed at the dinner, this was one: "Money, money, money;
may his hand be blasted with a deadly leprosy who should give or take it in barter for
his country. Three, cheers.

In 1799, in addition to the procession under escort of Captain Healy's artillery com-
pany, the press says, "a select band performed a number of appropriate pieces of mu-
sic. A large number of ladies and gentlemen were unhappily disappointed of an ex-
pected oration. Mr. Peletiah Hitchcock, the orator of the day, on his way from
Brookfield to Worcester, was suddenly seized with a bilious colic and was unable to
reach town." There were probably many, however, who were not as sorry as they
should have been, to forego the long oration. The Worcester Patriotic Song, of seven
long verses, written hy William Charles White, was sung to the tune of "Adams and
Liberty." One verse will serve to show the sentiment of the song.

"Let patriot ardor distinguish the day
Which granted Columbia a charter immortal.

Illumin'd her reign with Freedom's mild ray
And rais'd in her center bright liberty's portal.
The song of loud cheer
Bid sound far and near
And let our swelling concord toward the stars veer.

Since nobly disdaining with chains to agree
We spurn'd at all bondage and dared to be free."

For the next five years (1801-05) the celebrations differed only in the orator of
the day. In this list were Edward Bangs in the North Aleeting House ; Isaac Story of
Sterling, Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore of Leicester ; John William Caldwell at the South
Church; William Charles White of Rutland; and Daniel Waldo Lincoln, brother of
Gov. Levi Lincoln.

In 1801 the Spy prints a little paragraph, stating that hereafter the accounts of
the celebrations would be omitted, "inasmuch as the day was observed in many towns,
that unless full reports were given of all, which was manifestly impossible, all would
be omitted that they might not be accused of partiality." Then followed a short ser-
mon of thankfulness for liberty and prosperity, with an appeal for the continuation of
those blessings.

About this time the political situation became interesting. Jef¥erson and Madison
became leaders of the Democratic-Republican party, generally called the Republican

668

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

party; and Hamilton and Adams of the Federal party, which supported the administra-
tion. The Spy supported the Federal party, and the feeling was very intense. The
national holiday was chosen for political demonstrations. In 1808 the Spy says, with
f^ne sarcasm: "The Democrats formed a great procession of such as they were, and
had a very magnificent oration delivered by Major Estes How, who two years since
delivered as magnificent a Federal one in Sutton. Thus we go up, up, up, and thus we
go down, down, down." That was the entire "report of the occasion.

The orations in 1810 and 1811 were by Levi Heywood and John \V. Hubbard, the
latter year young men between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one having charge of
the exercises. In 1812 the Washington Benevolent Society of the county conducted the
celebration, with an oration by Francis Blake, and dinner in a building erected for the
purpose. The Federal Republicans also had a demonstration, with an oration by
Enoch Lincoln and an ode by Edward D. Bangs, and fireworks in the evening. A cou-
ple of toasts will serve to illustrate the length to which party feeling was carried. They
were offered by the president of the day, thus : "Mr. Jefferson : We consent that the
surplus he left in the treasury be appropriated to the erection of his own monument."
And this : "The Massachusetts Senate : may its members be turned from the crooked
paths of party policy to the straight lines of justice, and its head no longer be found

scattering."

In 1814 the Federal party had a procession, escorted by the Light Infantry, with
an oration by Edwin A. White in Dr. Bancroft's church.. Their opposition to the War
of 1812 is expressed in this toast : "The authors of a disgraceful and calamitous war.
They have done their country much evil. The Lord reward then according to their
works." Three cheers.

Peleg Sprague and John Davis were the orators the next two years, and in the lat-
ter year an ode of eight verses was sung with taste and spirit by Lieutenant Hamilton,

of the infantry.

An era of good feeling was inaugurated with President Alonroe's administration,
and the political hatchet was buried. In 1817 there was a large military parade, and an
oration in Old South Church by Pliny Merrick, with an ode composed by Edward D.
Bangs, and sung by Captain Sewall Hamilton. Isaiah Thomas presided at the din-
ner, of which three hundred partook, which was served in a bower opposite Air. Hath-
away's tavern.

In 1819, however, party feeling was again prominent, and the Saturday preceding
the Fourth the Republicans had a celebration. The Spy speaks of it thus: "Edward D.
Bangs, Esq., a gentleman whom his fellow citizens generally would have been gratified
to hear on such an occasion, had it not been publicly announced that the celebration in
which he was engaged was designed exclusively for the gratification of a party." After
dismissing the Worcester report with this small paragraph, there follows a long de-
scription of the Charlton celebration where as I said "the usual ample number of toasts
were drunk with more than usual hilarity, and the most lively good humor manifested
during the whole of the festivities ; and the company afforded convincing proof that
party division is not so much the result of a difference of sentiment among the people
as of the efforts of restless partisans assisted by the magic of names."

The forty- fourth anniversary of Independence in 1820 was the occasion of a
parade and an oration by Charles H. Warren. At that time there were but four sur-
vivors of the Congress of 1776; John Adams. Thomas Jefferson, William Floyd and
Charles Carroll.

A tea party on the lawn at Hon. Levi Lincoln's was the great event on July 4, 1821,
according to the Spy. The National Aegis, however, gives an elaborate account of a
Republican celebration at which the oration was delivered by its editor, Henry Rogers.

In 1822, at the dinner following a religious gathering in Old South Church, the Spy
said it was "highly gratifying to witness at the table a number of those veterans who

AND ITS PEOPLE 669

were in the war of the Revolution, some of whom bore the honorable scars of the
wounds then received.

The Democratic celebration in 1823 was not generally attended, says the opposition
paper, Francis R. Stebbins was orator; William Lincoln was orator in 1824, and the
next year, 1825, the Light Infantry had an oration by Richard Hampton Vose, a mem-
ber of the company.

The first celebration under the auspices of the town authorities was in 1826. After
a fine procession of all the military companies of Worcester, with an oration by
Charles Allen, there was a dinner in the town hall, presided over by Isaiah Thomas,
who' had read the Declaration of Independence for the first time in Worcester fifty
years before. Music was furnished by the Worcester Harmonic Society, of which
Emory Perry was president, and the fiftieth anniversary was one long to be remem-
bered. In 1827 the Odd Fellows had charge, Thomas Kennicutt, orator.

Following the report of the celebration of 1829, this original anecdote appeared,
and I leave it to you to find the point. "On the Fourth of July that inveterate joker,
Squire B., put on his best ruffled shirt and walked down street. Meeting with a French-
man who resides in the neighborhood, he entered into conversation with him, in the
course of which Monsieur stepped up to him and, taking hold of his ruffle, said, 'Sare,
dat be one French fashion vat you have got.' 'Oh no, it is not,' replied the
Squire, 'for it has a shirt attached to it.'" John Davis was orator. In
1830 Peter C. Bacon was orator. In 1831 and 1832 both political parties
made merry, and in 1833 the exercises were in charge of the town. This year
seems to have been the first when any special notice of accidents had been taken by the
press. A half column, a great deal for that day, was devoted to a resume of the acci-
dents which had occurred in various parts of the country, with comments from other
papers. The orators of the day were Edward Everett, and Samuel M. Burnside, and
an oratorio was given, and also a grand ball at Estabrook's hotel.

In 1833 there were two celebrations, with orations by George Fol-
som to the anti-Jackson party in Old South Church; by Benjamin F.
Thomas in North Church. In 1834 the Whigs celebrated, Franklin Dex-
ter, orator; in 1836, Benjamin F. Thomas, orator; in 1837 the Jackson
Democrats celebrated, Robert Rantoul Jr., of Gloucester, orator.

In 1838, a temperance festival was held; Dr. Walter Channing of
Boston, Hon. Mr. Hoard of Concord and Hon. Mr. Lawrence spoke. In
1839 William Lincoln was orator at New Worcester. Anti-slavery meet-
ing was held. In 18-10, Democratic celebration ; oration by Rev. Ores-
tes A. Brownson. Another temperance festival took place in 1841.
Wendell Phillips spoke in the Town Hall in the morning, in Brinley Hall
in the evening, July 4, 1842. In 1843 the exercises were devoted to the
temperance movement.

In 1844 there were two celebrations ; the Whigs had a dinner with
toasts; the Democrats had an oration by George Bancroft in the First
Baptist Church, and a dinner in Brinley Hall. In 1845 and 1846 the day
was devoted to temperance. There were fireworks in 1846 and 1847;
parade and dinner, 1850. In 1851 the Free Soil party celebrated, John
P. Hale, orator ; in 1852 the Whigs had their inning, and erected a large
tent on the Coinmon, in which speeches were made by Gov. Lincoln,
Emory Washburn and Col. Lee of Templeton.

6/0 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The city government in 1853 appropriated $1,500. The Jackson
Guards appeared for the first time in the military parade. An oration
by Francis Wayland was dehvered in Old South Church ; dinner in the
City Hall. In 1S56 the Continentals paraded ; dinner was served in a
tent on the common; Homer B. Sprague was orator. There were three
parades. In 185T there were two free fights; nothing more. In 1859
Hersey's Minutemen celebrated ; Lucian Prince acted the part of mes-
senger very realistically, it is said. In 1860 the cornerstone of the Free
Public Library was laid, with addresses by Mayor Rice and others;
a military procession : dinner in ^Mechanics Hall ; balloon ascension. In
1862 there was a burlescjue parade.

During tfie war. the old time celebrations came to an end. In 1865
the day was devoted to a reception to returning soldiers, with military
and trades processions. In 1866 the bell in Central Church was broken
by the ringers, at a cost of $500 to the city. There was a parade in 1868,
including the militia and firemen. In 18T2 and 18T3 studlefunk parades
were the only attractions. In 18T() there was an elaborate centennial
celebration, with studlefunk and military parades. The oration was
delivered in [Mechanics Hall by Benjamin F. Thomas. In 1883 another
studlefunk parade was held.

Gradually the firecracker and the toy pistol came into use, and the
day was given up entirely to noise and athletic sports. The crackers
grew larger and noisier year by year, the pistols more deadly. The night
before the Fourth became a veritable nightmare of noise and mischief,
fires and accidents. The newspapers had a frightful list of accidents to
report after the annual orgy of gunpowder was over.

A movement for a safe and sane celebration began here in 1911. The
sale of dangerous fireworks was prohibited, and provision was made by
the city for a more suitable celebration of the day. There was a military
parade ; the Declaration of Independence was read. Sports were pro-
vided in the public parks. Displays of fireworks were given in the even-
ing. Since then the Fourth has been celebrated in a similar fashion. The
city has made a liberal appropriation for expenses, and the mayor has
appointed a committee from the city council and citizens to take charge.
Hon. Alfred S. Roe was chairman and Donald Tulloch secretary of the
committee in charge for several years. At first the movement was sup-
ported by voluntary subscriptions. The return to parades and similar
forms of celebrating has been accepted with favor by old and young.
In 1912 there were in line in the parade about 2.000; in 1913 about 6,500.
The change in the character of the celebration during the past six years
has eliminated fatal accidents and reduced others to a minimum that
causes no anxiety.

CHAPTER XL
Armory — Rifle Range

The Armory. — The present armory was erected at Armory Square
in 1S88, Cutting & Bishop being the contractors, Fuller & Delano, the
architects, at a cost of $131,991.;39. The commissioners in charge were
Gen. Joseph Pickett, John Leighton of Boston, and Joseph N. Peterson,
for many years mayor of Salem. Recently the state took over the prop-
erty and it was remodelled at a cost of about $35,000. The building is
spacious, four stories high with a good drill-hall. Until the changes
involved by the European War and the federalizing of the militia, the
armory was occupied by Companies A, C and H, 2d Infantry; Co. G,
Ninth Infantry; Battery B, First Field Artillery, all of the Massachu-
setts militia or national guard.

Rifle Range at Shrewsbury. — The old rifle range at Jamesville was
too small for modern firearms and conditions, and in 1912 it gave place
to a new range located near the western line of Shrewsbury, about five
miles from City Hall. The property comprises 151 acres in rectangular
form, a mile in length in the longest diameter. The land was bought in
1907 and 1908 at a cost of $4,160, and work began in 1908, the rifle and
revolver butts'being completed the following year. The range is lighted
by electricity. The range house was built in 1908 at a cost of $4,962.04.
The main building has a large assembly room. Two large wings con-
tain lockers and toilet rooms. Another building provides a home for the
custodian of the buildings and grounds.

The targets are set at distances ranging from 200 to 100 yards. The
butts are of stone and cement. The target frames are operated by pul-
leys ; two targets are set in each section and operated alternately. When
one is set up, the other comes down automatically and the records are
made and a new paper target pasted to the frame. A telephone connects
the firing line with the targets. The revolver butts for the officers have
targets at from 25 to 100 yards from the firing line. They are arranged
like the rifle targets. The range is supplied with the water from a spring,
whence the water is pumped to a distributing reservoir.

On this range the Worcester companies have made excellent prog-
ress in shooting, and their marksmanship has wonderfully improved in
the past five years. The range was built for the Worcester City Guards,
Worcester Light Infantry, Wellington Rifles, the Emmet Guards and
Battery B, the Worcester companies. It cost the city about $35,000. Its
value and importance has been highly appreciated, especially since this
country entered into the European War.

CHAPTER XLI

Civil War Organizations — Grand Army of the Republic — Union Vet-
erans' Legion — Woman's Relief Corps

Grand Army of the Republic. — Colonel George H. Ward Post, No.
10, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in Brinley Hall April 13,
1867. The eleven charter members were Arthur A. Goodell, Harlan
Fairbanks, Robert H. Chamberlain, David M. Woodward, Joseph A.
Titus, J. Stewart Brown, R. Elliott Blake, James M. Drennan, George
Woodward, J. M. Woodward and Charles E. Simmons. For a short
time Waldo Hall was the meeting place, then Brinley Block was the
home of the post until shortly before it was demolished in 1895 to make
way for the State Mutual building. The new rooms and hall built for
the post in the building erected on Walnut Street were occupied June
17, 1895. In the fire the post lost all its property. Quarters were then
occupied in the Odd Fellows Hall, Pearl Street. Here the post remained
until the present building on Pearl Street was occupied.

G. A. R. H.JiLL.

The commanders of the Post have been: Arthur A. Goodell and

David M. Woodward, 1867; Joseph A. Titus, 1867-68; R. Elliot Blake,

1869 ; Amos M. Parker, 1869 ; George F. Thompson, 1869 ; A. C. Soley

and James E. Dennis, 1870 ; Edward P. Halstead, 1871 ; Joseph A. Titus,

W.-I-43.

6/4 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

18T3; James F. Meech, 18T3-4 ; Jairus B. Lamb, 18T5-TT ; James K.
Churchill, 18T8-;9; Justin B. Willard, 1880; William H. King and
Theodore M. Remington, 1881-2 ; William L. Robinson, 1883-5 ; Cephas
N. Walker, 1886; Charles H. Benchley, 1881; Josiah N. Jones and
Clarendon W. Putnam, 1888; Amos M. Parker, 1889-90; Charles H.
Pinkham, 1890-1; John B. Lepire, 1892; William H. Bartlett, 1893;
Charles M. Smith, 189-1; Harvey T. Buck, 1895; Alfred S. Roe, 1896-7;
Daniel E. Burbank, 1898; Robert B. Edwards, 1899-1900; George H.
Hathorn, 1901; George W. Barnes, 1902; Woodbury C. Smith. 1903;
Daniel E. Denney, 1904-5; Fordis O. Bushnell, 1906-T ; William B. Dow-
ney, 1908-9; James Armstrong, 1910-11; George W. Hubbard, 1912-3;
Henry A. Winn, 1914-5; William H. Sherman, 1916; Genery T. Darl-
ing, 191T — .

Past Department Commanders from this city have been: Augustus
B. R. Sprague, 1868; James K. Churchill, 1892; Alfred S. Roe and
Daniel E. Denny, \W. H. Bartlett.

For several years Post 10 was the largest in the country. Among its
members were soldiers who had fought in every important engagement
on land and sea in the Civil War. Among the organizations represented
by members of the Post were 39 different regiments of cavalry, 2?8 of
infantry, twenty-four of heavy artillery, three of sharp-shooters, two of
engineers, one signal corps and twenty-nine light batteries.

Trustees for the Post : James Armstrong, chairman ; Charles F.
Read, secretary; Charles E. Abbey, treasurer; Charles H. Pinkham,
Orlando W. Norcross, George W. Hubbard.

The present quarters of George H. Ward, Post, No. 10, G. A. R., on
Pearl street, were bought in 1912 of W. D. Hobbs at a great bargain,
for $21,000. The granite building was formerly the Bull mansion, said
to have cost $125,000, and admirably adapted for the purposes of the post.
William Hart and Commander James Armstrong made the contract, Mr.
Hobbs contributing by the price given at least $10,000. Additions
and alterations cost $16,000 more. The quarters were formally ded-
icated Jan. 30, 1913. Funds were immediately raised, reducing the debt
on the home to about $16,000. The home has a hall, smoking rooms,
apartments, kitchen, dining room and every convenience of a club house.
The feature of Memorial Hall is the record on bronze tablets of every
member of the Post, over 3,300. It is used by the Post, United Span-
ish War Veterans, Sons of Veterans and Daughters of \'eterans,
the Worcester Continentals, the Woman's Relief Corps, and kindred
organizations for social purposes and entertainments. It is said to be
the most attractive Post building in the country. Steps were taken
in December, 191T, to deed the property to the city.

The clearing of the debt in April, 1916, was a fine example of the
liberality and patriotism of a number of the leading citizens of Worces-
ter. George F. Booth, editor of the Gazette, was the prime mover in

AND ITS PEOPLE 675

securing the funds needed. Daniel E. Denney, former commander, had
secured from David H. Fanning a pledge of $1,000, provided the balance
were raised in a year. He secured the services of Maurice F. Reidy as
secretary; Edwin F. Seaward, treasurer; Louis H. Buckley and Rev.
Vincent E. Tomlinson. The Boys' Club, the Y. W. C. A. and
Girls' Club raised generous sums. But at this point George F.
Fuller offered the generous sum of $5,000 in memory of his father, who
served in the Civil War, was a prisoner in Libby, and re-enlisted when
he got out. At a dinner of influential and well-to-do citizens given by
Mr. Booth, the sum of $10,000 more was raised in twenty minutes. The
Post was overwhelmed with gratitude, as the debt had seemed to them a
burden that could not be removed during their lives. At a banquet
April 13, 1916, the mortgage was burned. The late Hon. Alfred S. Roe
was toastmaster. Hon. James Logan, Hon. Charles G. Washburn,
Mayor George M. Wright; Hon. Daniel E. Denny, Charles M. Thayer
and Harry G. Stoddard, all generous contributors to the fund, were
speakers. The spirit of rejoicing ran high ; wit and patriotism abounded,
Charles F. Reade read a brief history of the Post. He said : "The Post
has played 'The Drummer Boy' 2T times, thus earning for the charity
fund about $45,000. The Post has distributed about $90,000 in relief of
the needy comrades and their families, certainly a record of credit. The
Post has had 2,297 members. Among these were four generals, Devens,
Sprague, Pickett and Doubleday. The last report to the department
headquarters gave 415 as the membership of the Post."

Union Veteran Legion. — Encampment No. 83, Union Veteran Le-
gion, was established in 1890 in this city. The qualification for mem-
bership was enlistment as soldier, sailor or marine, prior to July 1, 1863,
for three years. The objects were similar to those of the G. A. R. The
encampment also had a woman's auxiliary. At one time the local organ-
ization numbered over a hundred. Among the commanders were : Henry
M. Green, Thomas A. Halpine, Joseph B. Knox, Charles E. Simmons,
Thomas A. Halpin, 1896; Jerome M. Stone, 1897; Carl C. T. Thomas,
1898; Owen McCann, 1899; Frederick D. Bliss, 1900-01; Jo. B. Knox,
1902; W. F. Miller, 1903; J. B. Knox, 1904; Dwight R. Scott, 1905-08.
The Encampment disbanded in 1908.

Union Veterans' Union. — General William S. Lincoln Command,
No. 18, Department of Massachusetts, Union Veterans' Union, was
organized in the Grand Army Hall, June 33, 1893. This organization,
fouonded in 1886, is composed of Union soldiers, sailors or marines who
served at least six months in the Civil War, unless sooner discharged on
account of wounds received in action, part of which service was at the
front. The local officers of the Department of Massachusetts in that
year (1895) were: Commander, Major Gen. Charles W. Wood; Ad-
jutant General, Col. J. Brainerd Hall; Quartermaster General, Col. Ed-
win D. McFarland ; headquarters, Burnside Building.

676 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The National Command had at one time 20 departments. The entire
membership was at one time about 35,000, but is now very small. The
button is in colors.

The National Headquarters was in Worcester, 1896. Charles W.
Wood, the commanding officer. In 1905 the headquarters again came to
Massachusetts. Daniel W. Gould of Chelsea, a one armed veteran
was elected general commanding.

At one time this command numbered nearly 200. At this period not
more than 25 survive.

Its colors were presented it in old G. A. Hall by the family of Gen.
Lincoln. The colors were recently given to its first colonel who now
keeps them. The flag will for a time remain an heirloom and ultimately
become the property of some historical or patriotic organization.

At this meeting a banquet was served. The hall and tables were
crowded by the mayor and many of the leading citizens, (honorary
members).

The first officers of the Ladies of the U. V. U. (in 1895) were composed
of wives and daughters of members : President, Mrs. Sarah A. Towle ;
Vice-Pres., Mrs. Kate E. Wilder; Treas., Mrs. Lizzie Wood; Chaplain,
Mrs. Amelia A. Trow; Sec, Mrs-. Abby A. Hall. For many years this
auxiliary was active in aiding the command.

Sons of Veterans. — Willie Grout Camp, No. 25, Div. of Mass., S. of
v., was organized in Horticulture Hall Feb. 26th, 1894, by Division Com-
mander A. C. Blaisdell. The first officers were Capt. Chas. A. Bur-
banks; 1st Lieut. Edw. A. Gleason; 2nd Lieut., Frank H. Leach, and
Camp Council, C. E. Farrington, R. R. Simonds and J. F. Armstrong.

The first meeting after organization was in G. A. R. Hall, or what
was known as Old Brinley Hall, Mar. 2, 1894. The Camp met here until
April 1st, 1895, when it had to vacate as the building was torn down to
give place to what is now known as the State Mutual Building. From
April 1st, 1895, to July 8th, 1895, the Camp met in U. V. L. Hall at which
time it secured quarters in the Day Building where it stayed until driven
out by fire Feb. 22, 1897. At this time nearly everything was lost.
The Camp met in various places until April 14, 1897, when it again met
in U. V. L. Hall until Sept. 27th, 1897, when it went into G. A. R. Hall,
35 Pearl street, remaining there until Feb. 10th, 1913, when it went into
the present quarters in the G. A. R. Building, 55 Pearl street.

The Wellington Rifles or H Co., 2nd Regt., was started from Willie
Grout Camp May 2nd, 1895. About 30 or 35 of our members going into
it, and our first captain was the first captain of the Wellington Rifles,
Capt. Chas. E. Burbank. Corp, Marvin Ames was in this company and
went to the Spanish American War in 1898, where he died in Cuba of the
yellow fever in August, 1898. His body was brought to Worcester and
given a military burial in charge of the Camp and Wellington Rifles, a
squad being sent with the body to New York, where he was buried.

AND ITS PEOPLE 677

The Camp has been fortunate in losing only five members by death,
the last the late Thomas H. Burton was a charter member and never
missed more than five or six meetings in all the 33 years he belonged to
the Camp.

The Worcester County Association, Sons of Veterans, was organized
in 1917 with A. J. Whitney of this city, president; A. Chester Dixie of
this city, secretary, and other officers from various towns in the county.

Gen. A. A. Goodell Camp, No. 2, S. of V., was organized May 8,
1883, with George W. Ward as its first commander. The Camp has
since its organization assisted Post 10, G. A. R., in its Memorial Day
work, and so long as wreaths were made, supplied a good share of
evergreen.

The Camp quarters were burned out in 1895, but the Sons went to
work and soon had a better headquarters than ever before and all debts
paid. The Camp has an interesting collection of relics, including the
uniform of the late Sergeant Thomas Plunket, and a rebel flag. The
Camp has at present a membership of thirty loyal and hard workers
among which one is a charter member. The personnel of the Camp is of
the best, and although few socials are managed by them, they are ever
ready for any call of the G. A. R. or Relief Corps for work.

The Camp has for the past six years had the care of making the bou-
quets and getting both flowers and wreaths to the respective cemeteries,
and has a committee for the work of marking the graves of Veterans in
the three of the city's cemeteries — Hope, St. John's, and Notre Dame,
and also sends a squad to Rural to assist there.

Of late years, the Camp has not participated in the parade on Me-
morial Day, on account of these duties, which allow several ablebodied
veterans to parade, who would otherwise be so employed that they could
not appear with the Post at the ceremonies at the Soldiers' Monument.

The Commanders of Camp No. 3 since organization have been :
George W. Ward, son of the late Gen. George H. Ward; Elmore F.
Johnson, D. A. Gleason, G. H. Cleaveland, C. S. Knight, W. H. Carrico,
Robert L. Ward, another son of Gen. George H. Ward; J. A. Get-
tings, H. N. Leach, G. H. Hill, R. R. Simmonds, J. D. Lepire, J. J. Tor-
pey, Chas. F. Lamberton, J. J. O'Grady, Chas. H. Edgerton,Geo. E. Love-
joy, William E. Rice, E. A. Willard, Arthur M. Warren, C. S. Mero,
Arthur B. White, Charles E. Kinney, John M. Warner, Dr. J. Francis
Potter, Henry W. Lamberton, and Ralph M. Warren is now the present
commander of the Camp.

The Sons of Veterans' Auxiliary, No. 18, of Gen. A. A. Goodell
Camp, No. 3, S. of V., was organized in Worcester, Mass., May 13th,
1893, in S. of V. Hall, 413 Main street. The Order was then known
as the Ladies' Aid Society, No. 18, the name being changed to S. of S.
Auxiliary at the National Encampment held in Boston, 1901. This Aux-
iliary was organized by the late Mrs. Sarah A. Davis who was a Past

678 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Division president, and the first president of the Division. She being a
member of the Brookfield Society at the time of our organization, became
a member of this Auxiliary Nov. 3d, 1893. At the time of its
organization its charter showed a membership of twenty-five members.
Today there are only four of the charter members' names in the roll
book. They are Miss Nellie A. Sibley who is a Past Division
president as well as a Past Auxiliary president; Mrs. Sara M.
Sibley, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Chase and Mrs. Edna A. Ware a Past
Auxiliary president. There have been sixteen presidents of the Aux-
iliary. The first president was Mrs. Mary E. Parker who served one
year and eight months, then followed by Mrs. Helen F. Jewell who
served one year; Miss Nellie A. Sibley who served six diflferent years;
Mrs. Edna A. Ware, one year; Mrs. Lillie E. Stone, one year; Mrs.
Sarah A. Davis two years; Mrs. Mina L. Bassett, two years; Mrs. Alice
E. Putnam, one year; Mrs. Anna J. Willard, two years; Mrs. Olivette
Fenner, eight months ; Mrs. Cora J. Mofifatt, four months ; Mrs. Lucy
L. Francis, ten months; Miss Sadie M. Hays, one year, two months;
Mrs. M. Elizabeth Kinney, two years; Mrs. Mary Hale, one year. At
the present time Mrs. Addie M. Moynihan is the president. At the
present time seven past presidents still remain in the Order. They are
Sisters Nellie A. Sibley, Edna A. Ware, Alice E. Putnam, Cora J. Mof-
fatt, Sadie M. Hays, M. Elizabeth Kinney and Mary Hale.

Some of these sisters have received high honors both in the National
body and also in the Division. Mrs. Sarah A. Davis and Miss Nellie A.
Sibley have both been members of the National Council. Mrs. Sarah
A. Davis has held the office of Div. President, has been a member of
the Div. Council. Mrs. Nellie A. Sibley has held the office of Division
President, Div. Vice-President, Div. Inspector, and a member of the
Division Council three diflferent years, and has served on the Soldiers'
Home dormitory committee at Chelsea for ten years. Other members
of Auxiliary No. 18 who have received honors in the Division are Mrs.
Eva M. Sibley, Div. Secretary, and Mrs. Alice E. Putnam, Div. Treas-
urer. These sisters were Miss Nellie A. Sibley's secretary and treasurer
while she was Division President.

The eligibility of the Order is as follows: First, the mothers,
wives and sisters of deceased or honorably discharged soldiers, sailors
or marines, w^ho served in the Union Army or Navy during the Civil
War of 1861-1865; second, female lineal descendants, not less than six-
teen years of age of soldiers, sailors or marines ; third, wives of Sons of
Veterans in good standing; fourth, nieces of veterans; fifth, mothers of
soldiers' sons.

The objects of the Order are to assist the Sons of Veterans in
their principles and objects, financially and otherwise. To aid the mem-
bers of the Grand Army of the Republic in caring for their helpless and
disabled veterans, to extend aid and i)rotection to their widows and

AND ITS PEOPLE 679

orphans ; to perpetuate the memory and history of the heroic dead and
the proper observance of Memorial Day. To inculcate true patriotism
and love of country, not only among the membership, but all the people
of our land and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, uni-
versal liberty and justice to all.

Woman's Relief Corps, No. 11. — This organization is an auxiliary
to the G. A. R. It was organized in 1883 and since then has been asso-
ciated in the social and relief work of the G. A. R. in the observance of
Memorial Day and other occasions. The membership comprises women
of the families of members of the Post. The officers in 191T were : Mrs.
Mabel M. Hutchins, pres. ; Mrs. Flora A. Sisson and Mrs. Mary L.
Newton, vice-prests. ; Julia F. Bemis, treas. ; Mrs. S. Elmira Dickinson,
sec. ; Mrs. J. Victoria Simmons, chaplain. Meetings are held in the
G. A. R. building.

Ladies of the G. A. R. — General Charles Devens Circle, No. 30;
organized for purposes similar to the Relief Corps but differing in con-
ditions of membership. Mrs. Ethelyn Jaquith was president in 1917.
The circle meets in Red Men's Hall.

Daughters of Veterans. — Clara Barton Tent, No. 3, was organized
on Oct. 20, 1890, with TO members and has been active in aiding the
Grand Army and kindred organizations. The meetings are held in G.
A. R. Hall. In 1917 Nellie E. Worth was president. Mrs. Ellen M.
Walker, afterward national president of the Order, was first president,
succeeded by Mrs. Minnie E. Babbett, Mrs. R. Evelyn Monroe, Miss
Celia Lepire. It has been the largest tent in the state.

Union Veterans' Union. — Gen. Wm. S. Lincoln Command, No 18. —
Col. Waldo H. Vinton; Lieut. Col., Jotham E. Bigelow; Quartermaster,
Noel E. Converse. Meets second Monday of each month at homes of
members.

United Spanish War Veterans. — Col. E. R. Shumway Camp, No. 28.
— Org. 1901. Com., John C. Ware; Senior V. Com., Michael F. Garrett;
Junior V. Com., John E. Fitzpatrick ; Adjt., William L. Lowe ; Quar-
termaster, Benjamin Cooper. Meets third Wednesday of each month at
55 Pearl street.

CHAPTER XLII

Patriotic Societies — Col, Timothy Bigelow Chapter, D. A. R. — Worcester

Chapter, S. A. R. — Bancroft Chapter, D. R. — Sons of the

Revolution

Sons of the American Revolution. — The beginning of this organiza-
tion is dated Oct. 23, 1875, though the national body was not organized
until April 30, 1889. The Massachusetts body was instituted April 19,
1889. The Worcester Chapter was organized April 2, 1897, and holds its
annual meeting each year on May 23, the anniversary of the town meet-
ing at which in 1776 the voters pledged their lives and property to
secure Independence. Alfred Pavers was president, 1917.

The Sons of the Revolution dates from Febuary 26, 1876. The
National organization was effected at Washington, April 19, 1890, and
the Massachusetts Society, Oct. 1, 1891. For many years, however,
Eben Francis Thompson of this city has been on the board of managers
of the state society.

Bancroft Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution. — The General
Society, Daughters of the Revolution, organized Aug. 2Q, 1891, and Ban-
croft Chapter June 24, 1896, through the instrumentality of Mrs. C. Van
D. Chenoweth, who was made its regent. The Chapter was reorganized
May 3, 1898, and named for George Bancroft the historian. The follow-
ing have been regents: Miss Catherine M. Bent, 1898-09-1900-01-02;
Miss Edith J. Norcross, 1903-04-05 ; Mrs. Henry J. Gross, 1906 ; Mrs. F.
H. Bigelow, 1907; Miss Angelyn Jefferds, 1908; Miss Mary M. Goes,
1909-10-11; Mrs. Howard E. Sumner, 1912-13-14-15-16-17; Mrs. F. H.
Bigelow, 1918.

In 1917 Mrs. Ernest P. Bennett was vice-regent; Mrs. B. Austin
Coates, treasurer; Catherine M. Bent, historian. Meetings have been
at the homes of members. The Chapter has shared in the work of the
General and State Society, such as contributing to the Memorial Shaft at
Valley Forge, the Washington Elm Gateway, the Paul Revere House
and others. Also in the placing of numerous tablets, as the one in the
Boston Public Library to the "writers of patriotic verse and song." The
Chapter has assisted the Society of the Cincinnati in some of its research.
It has taken part in Worcester charity and patriotic work and has shared
in the celebration of certain days and occasions.

At the time of the Spanish War it did especially assigned work and
now has contributed to the General Society's fund for present war work.

Col. Timothy Bigelow Chapter. — The first regent was Mrs. C. Van
D. Chenowith who resigned after three years to become the founder of
Col. Henshaw Chapter of Leicester.

682 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Mrs. Daniel Kent was regent from May, 1901, to May, 1903, and at
the expiration of her term of office she was made Honorary Regent for
life. From May, 1903, to May, 1905, Mrs. William T. Forbes was
regent. From May, 1905, to May, 1906, Mrs. Theodore C. Bates ; :\Irs.
John H. Orr, May, 1906-May, 1908; Mrs. M. P. Higgins, May, 1908-
May, 1910; Miss Isabel W. Gordon, May, 1910-May, 1912; Mrs. Frank
B. Hoe, May, 1912-May, 1914; Mrs. Albert E. Fan, 1914-15; Mrs. An-
drew P. Haworth, 1915-17.

The Chapter has had five real daughters : Mrs. Daniel R. Cady, Mrs.
James M. Randall, Mrs. Nathaniel Johnson of Milford, Mrs. Israel Taft
of Spencer, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown Morse of Westborough, and an hon-
orary real daughter. Mrs. Joanna White Beamm Fletcher, of the Old
South Chapter.

The Colonel Timothy Bigelow Chapter was founded by Mrs. Caro-
line Van Dusen Chenoweth of Leicester, and was formally organized
June 7, 1899, with a membership of fourteen. The Chapter took the
name of "Colonel Timothy Bigelow," a valiant patriot and soldier, who
drilled the minutemen on Worcester Common and led them to Cam-
bridge when the call came April 19, 1775.

Beside placing a marker on the site of the Colonel Timothy Bigelow
house, the Chapter has marked the John Hancock house, corner of Grove
and Lexington streets, the Isaiah Thomas house on Court Hill, has
placed a tablet on the site of the first school house in Worcester, where
John Adams, the second President of the United States, once taught,
and placed a tablet marking the graves of the seven Revolutionary sol-
diers buried on the Common. The Chapter has published the results
of the historical research for this first school house location and held
public exercises in the Unitarian church on Court Hill. May 23, 1903,
dedicating the tablet ; has published a complete record of Revolutionary
soldiers from Worcester and held public exercises in the City Hall. May
30, 1901, in memory of them.

It has published an essay on "Old Age and Immortality." written
and read by Senator Hoar before the Worcester Fire Society. Each Me-
morial Day the Timothy Bigelow monument on the Common and all the
Revolutionary soldiers' graves are decorated by members. The Chapter
has been accumulating a fund for the purpose of maintaining perpetual
care for all uncared for soldiers' graves ; for several years has paid $50
annually to the Worcester Boys' Club for the support of a mechanical
drawing class, and has contributed nearly $1,000 toward Memorial Con-
tinental Hall in Washington.

This Chapter, like many other i)rosperous and progressive societies,
took advantage of an unusual opportunity to purchase the Dr. William
Paine house, at 140 Lincoln street, called in history "The Oaks."

This house was begun in 1774 by Hon. Timothy Paine, one of the

AND ITS PEOPLE 683

foremost citizens of Worcester, but owing to troublesome times, building
operations were suspended until 1777-78.

The house was remodeled, furnished in colonial style, and has since
been a most attractive social center. The Chapter has held its meet-
ings and social gatherings here. Similar organizations have found the
Oaks a most convenient and suitable place for teas, receptions, meetings
and all kind of gatherings. The home of the Chapter has been described
as one of the model Chapter houses of the country in the magazine of the
D. A. R.

The Chapter has an auxiliary called the Junior Daughters.

Other Patriotic Bodies. — The Daughters of 1812; the Descendants
of Colonial Governors, the Society of Colonial Dames, the Society of
Colonial Wars, the Society for the Preservation of New England An-
tiquities, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Society
of Mayflower Descendants and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion
have no legal organizations, but all of them have a considerable member-
ship in this city.

Red Cross Work in Worcester.— Worcester County Sub-Division
of the American National Red Cross was organized October 31, 1905,
with the following officers: Chairman, Mr. Charles G. Washburn;
Treasurer, Dr. Homer Gage ; Secretary, Mrs. Lincoln N. Kinnicutt, who
with Miss Isabel M. Crompton and Stephen Salisbury were the
organizers.

In February, 190G, an appeal came for the relief of the starving peo-
ple in northern Japan, and $251.51 was collected. In April, 1906, came
the call to aid the sufferers from the San Francisco earthquake. A room
at 12 Foster street was kept open for a week to receive contributions
of clothing, with the result that 26 large cases w^ere sent to Dr. E. T.
Devine. Red Cross, San Francisco. A call from the famine stricken
district of China and for Italian relief did not pass unheeded, each hav-
ing received a small contribution.

In December, 1906, the following representative men and women
from the different parts of the county were added to the executive com-
mittee: Mrs. George Crocker of Fitchburg; Dr. W. P. Bowers of Clin-
ton; Mr. Josiah Lasell of Whitinsville ; Mr. Lewis Prouty of Spencer;
Dr. George A. Brown of Barre ; and Dr. F. W. George of Athol.

At the annual meeting in 1907, Mr. John W. Pearl was elected as
secretary of the Worcester County Branch, as this organization was
then called.

In 1916 Red Cross classes in First Aid and Home Care of the Sick
were conducted under the direction of the Young Woman's Christian
Association. During that year $250.68 was contributed for European
War Relief and the sum of $34.14 for military relief to El Paso, Texas.

In 1917 it was decided that the organization previously known as the
Worcester Countv Branch should be known as the Worcester Chapter,

684 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

■with the city of Worcester and such towns in the county not included in
Other chapters, to be under its jurisdiction, namely: Auburn, Barre,
So. Barre, Barre Plains, White Valley, Brookfield, East Brooktield,
North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Charlton, Dodge, Douglas, East
Douglas, Grafton, North Grafton, Farnumsville, Fisherville, Saunders-
ville, Hardwick, Gilbertville, Wheelwright, Holden, Jefferson, Hubbards-
ton, Leicester, Rochdale, Cherry Valley, Milford, Braggsville, Hopedale,
Mendon, Millbury, New Braintree, Northbridge, Oakdale, Oakam, Cold-
brook, Coldbrook Springs, Oxford, North Oxford, Paxton, Princeton,
East Princeton, Rutland, West Rutland, Sutton, West Sutton, Man-
chaug, Wilkinsonville, Sturbridge, Spencer, Shrewsbury, Southbridge,
Fiskdale, Sandersdale, Uxbridge, North Uxbridge, Upton, West Upton,
Warren, West Warren, Webster, Dudley, Perryville, Whitinsville, Lin-
wood, Rockdale, West Boylston.

The following officers were elected : Chairman, Charles G. Wash-
burn; Vice-chairman, Frank H. Marshall; Treasurer, Alfred R. Brig-
ham; Secretary, Mrs. Lizzie L. Bullock; Asst. Secretary, Miss Alice
Gordon Merrill ; and the following as an executive committee : Mrs.
Alfred L. Aiken, Mrs. Lizzie L. Bullock, Mr. George F. Booth, Mr. Louis
H. Buckley, Mrs. Homer Gage, ]\Irs. William Harrington, Mrs. C. F.
Marble, Mr. Frank H. Marshall, Mr. Maurice F. Reidy.

On June 4, 1917, a membership campaign was begun, lasting through
the week, which increased the membership from 2,662 to 70,895. On
Sunday, June 17, a mass meeting was held in Mechanics Hall to open the
country wade campaign to raise $100,000,000, Judge PhiUp J. O'Connell
presiding. The speakers were: Sir Herbert B. Ames of Canada; Hon.
Chas. G. Washburn, Hon. James Logan, Geo. A. Gaskill, general chair-
man. The campaign closed Monday, June 22. There was raised $517,-
677.07 in the city of Worcester and $137,876.37 in the towns, making
the total contribution from the Worcester Chapter $655,553.44.

On Sunday, December 16, 1917, a mass meeting was held in Mechanics
Hall to inaugurate a Christmas Membership Campaign. The speak-
ers were : Dr. Eugene A. Crockett, Hon. Chas. G. Washburn, chair-
man of Worcester Chapter, George A. Gaskill, chairman of Red Cross
administration committee, and David W. Armstrong, chairman of cam-
paign committee. Chief Justice Arthur P. Rugg presided. Prayer was
offered by Rev. Dr. Lewis Morris, rector of All Saints' Church. 38,544
additional members were obtained, increasing the total membership of
the Chapter to 117,921, March 1, 1918. In July, 1917, work rooms were
started in the Salisbury Mansion, generously offered for the purpose by
the Worcester Art Museum.

LTnder date of September 5, 1917, an Administration Committee was
appointed, consisting of Mr. George A. Gaskill, chairman, Mr. Geo. F,
Booth, Mr. Louis H. Buckley, Mr. Harlan T. Pierpont, Mr. Maurice F.
Reidy. Auxiliaries were started in the different towns, and in different

AND ITS PEOPLE 685

sections of the city, amounting- March 1 to 9T Branches and Auxiliaries.

Since the war work began, $121,983.50 have been expended in supplies.
The different articles made have been : Sweaters, 9459 ; socks, pairs, 7699 ;
helmets, 4645 ; wristlets, 7243 ; mufflers, 3965 ; afghans, 237; trench and
sleeping caps, 5502 ; face cloths and other knitted articles, 1944 ; mittens,
60; gauze dressings, 298,516; pads, 3457; bandages, 82,501; special
dressings, 33,109; surgical shirts, 6352; pajamas, 4092; convalesecent
robes, 1998; shoulder wraps, 1026; flannel socks, 1087; army slings,
776; comfort pillows, 5547; scrub cloths, 1106; wash cloths, 744; hand-
kerchiefs, 4134; bath towels, 216; hospital supplies, 3550; napkins,
648; trench candles, 2232.

The department of Civilian Relief was started May 1, 1917, under the
charge of Lt. Henri V. Baril. In November the duties performed by
this department became so great that Miss Edith Billings was engaged
as a Home Service worker. The duties performed by the Civilian Re-
lief have been to give relief to soldiers' families, and through its Infor-
mation Bureau to give any information desired by soldiers and their fam-
ilies at any and all times.

CHAPTER XLIII
The First Schools — Public and Private

The First Schools. — It was evidently the intention of the founders
of the town to provide suitable schools as well as a church, when they
reserved lands for the support of both. No record has been left, how-
ever, of schools or schoolhouses in the first two settlements.

The town had been incorporated three years when an ineffective
attempt was made at a town meeting in December, 1725, to make an
appropriation "to provide a writing master to instruct the youth." The
first free public schools was established the next year, in accordance
with a vote of the town, April 4, 1726, when Jonas Rice was engaged
"to teach such children and youth as any of the inhabitants should send
to him to read and write as the law directs, and to keep such school
until the 15th day of December next ensuing to date hereof, said school
to be supported at the town's expense." The Commonwealth, as the
people generally called the colonial government, deserves credit for this
action, not the town. The settlers themselves were pretty well edu-
cated in the schools of the older towns, as the writing of early records,
the spelling and construction of various documents, demonstrate. But
the Worcester planters were too busy with clearing land and making
both ends meet to give much consideration to schools. At the meet-
ing Dec. 19, 1726, the school was discontinued and the town was "pre-
sented," the costs of presentment (fees and costs Dec. 12, 1727), and
fined for violating the colonial laws requiring a free school in every town.
In January, 1727-8 the town voted money to pay the fine and 16 pounds,
10 shillings for teaching.

In May, 1727, the town appointed a committee to provide a school-
master for one year, and after that time annual appropriations were
made. Occasionally the names of the schoolmasters are mentioned in
the town records, in records of contract or payment of salary, or in direc-
tions to keep school in certain dwellings. The teacher lived at the
houses in which he taught. After the schoolhouses were erected it was
customary for the teacher to "board 'round," moving from one dwelling
to another, as arranged by the town officers in charge of the schools.

In 1731, there being a hundred householders, the town voted to
employ not only the schoolmaster but "not exceeding five school dames,
at the charge of the town for the teaching of small children to read, etc."
The town had reached the limit prescribed by the General Court for
maintaining a grammar school, but neglected to take action. It was
again presented for failure to obey the law.

As the town increased in size, the appropriations increased, of

688 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

course. In 1745 the school appropriation was £110, equivalent to much
more than the sum measured in the purchasing power of labor or food
at present rates. The school committee of that year consisted of Jonas
Rice, Daniel Hey wood, Benjamin Flagg and Ephraim Curtis, and they
presented a new plan of the school system, giving to families outside the
village the school money they contributed, and providing that the fam-
ilies in the center should make up by subscription or otherwise a sum
which with their taxes would maintain a grammar school. It was also
proposed that families outside the village might send pupils to the gram-
mar school free of charge. The town outside was divided into rows
and quarters. No action w^as taken however, on the report, but two
years later some of the recommendations were adopted, the school money
of those outside the village being allowed in the districts for school pur-
poses, if schools are kept. In 1718 a committee appointed for the pur-
poses reported several localities in the outskirts where school houses
might be suitably built. From time to time the records show leases or
sales of the school lands. The proceeds were or should have been
devoted to school purposes.

In the summer of 1755, Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty was commissioned
to secure a teacher for the grammar school here. He went to Harvard
Commencement, and at that time engaged John Adams, afterward pres-
ident of the United States, to teach the new school. Adams was not
twenty years old when he set out for his task here. He was sent by the
selectmen to board with Major Nathanael Greene. His diary gives vari-
ous details of his life and experience in this town. He was received in
polite society, took tea with the Chandlers and Putnams, and talked
politics and religion. He remained three years, but teaching was not
congenial. He began to read law here in the office of James Putnam,
and, when admitted to the practice of law, removed to Boston. His con-
nection with the Worcester grammar school gave it in later years historic
distinction. A committee of Col. Timothy Bigelow Chapter, D. A. R.,
after an investigation by its research committee, of which Mrs. Annie
Russel Marble was chairman, Mrs. Harriette M. Forbes, Florence Waite
Smith, Mary Jillson Parker, Mary E. Whipple and Emma F. Waite,
members, proved the exact spot where the school house stood near the
court house, and a bronze marker was affixed near the spot.

In 1752 the town voted "that the inhabitants of the Center, extend-
ing one mile and a half around the school house, should have allowed
them their proportion of money for the support of teaching provided
they do, bona fide, keep a grammar school the whole year ; and of their
proportion of money will procure a master more than 12 weeks, the
usual time they have of late had schooling, then any person may have
liberty to send children afterwards." This vote with no reference to
any school house, excused the inhabitants of the immediate center of the
town from contributing to the general support of the district schools,

AND ITS PEOPLE 689

provided they would maintain a grammar school — not a moving school,
but one teaching Latin and other subjects necessary then for preparation
for college, in the center of the town for the entire year. There is some
doubt as to whether John Adams was the first grammar school teacher.

There was a committee for the center and another for the other dis-
tricts. In November, 1759, the people at Pakachoag asked for the privi-
lege of hiring a schoolmaster so that they might have school kept the
whole year, but the request was refused by the town.

First Private School. — Evidently the public grammar school was
not highly successful, for in 1769 came a proposal to the town to provide
for instruction required in a private school previously established. It
was in 1759, shortly after Adams left, that the town went back to the
old "moving school," "to be kept in the same way and manner that the
school used to be kept in before May, 1752," and voted that "the sum
of £43 be granted for the support of schools the present year and that the
parts of the town commonly called Smith's and Parker's rows have the
sum allowed to them as usual to be laid out in schooling as they used
to have before March, 1752."

The same spirit of economy was in force until 1763, when James
Putnam and others petitioned fgr the privilege of erecting at their own
expense a school house on the common. It is presumed that the peti-
tioners had already kept a private grammar school for their own children.
They offered to pay for the land, but the town simply voted "that James
Putnam and others have liberty to set up a school house on such part
of the Town's Land as the Selectmen shall think proper." As already
stated, the town took action in March, 1769, appointing William Young
and others to treat with the proprietors of this new school, "and to agree
with them upon what terms they will allow said school to be considered
as the Town's Grammar School for the benefit of such persons in town as
shall incline to send their children there and also to consult some plan
for keeping English schools in said town." The committee reported as
follows :

1769, March 17th. A Com. on Schools report: That they have proposed to the
proprietors of the Grammar School that the town allow said proprietors 16 pounds
the current year, said proprietors engaging that the said Grammar School shall be
free for all persons in said town desirous of learning the languages (who shall) be
admitted by said proprietors to have the same privileges and upon the same terms in
said school, as the children of said proprietors, which proposals the said proprietors
have accepted. And your committee are of opinion that the method of keeping Eng-
lish school in said town (should be) each part of the town draw the money they pay
toward the whole sum raised the current year, and each have their proportion of the
interest money belonging to said school — to be kept in the several parts of the town in
such season of the year as shall be agreed upon by the major part of said quarter.
Your committee have divided the town into eight parts: Center of town; Tatnuck;
Smith's quarter; Pakachoag; Sone's quarter; Stowell's quarter; Capt. Curtis's quarter;
Capt. Flagg's quarter.

W.— 1-44.

690 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The grammar school was never popular, and the law requiring it
was derided and condemned by a considerable part of the people. In a
way it was undemocratic, for it was designed solely at first to begin the
training of Congregational ministers and, until Harvard College became
something more than a school to educate clergymen, the feeling was
strong. In 1766 the Worcester representative in the General Court was
instructed to endeavor "that the law requiring a Latin School be repealed
and that no more than one such school be kept in a county," and in 1767
"to use his exertions to relieve the people from the great burden of sup-
porting so many schools of this description, whereby they are prevented
from attaining such degree of English learning as is necessary to retain
the freedom of any state." But the Latin or grammar school held on
until the present high school system with its admirable provision for the
general education of youth of both sexes — education broader, higher and
deeper, except as to ancient languages, than Harvard College maintained
in earlier days.

In this year (1769), the school appropriation was £79, 17s., of which
the center district had a fourth, the other seven about an eighth part
each of the remainder, Tatnuck being the largest of the outside districts.
It is useless to state the appropriations for schools, however, as the fluc-
tuations in the value of currency were so great that it is impossible now
to give an estimate of the actual value of the sums spent. The records
show that among the teachers of the Worcester schools before the Rev-
olution were the following: Jonas Rice, beginning in 1726; Benjamin
Flagg, 1729; James Wyman, 1732; Richard Rogers, 1732; Samuel
Boutelle, 1733; Nathaniel Williams, 1733; Samuel Marsh, 1738; James
Durant, 1739; James Varney, 1744; Henry Gardner, 1752 ; John Adams,
1755; John Young, 1757; William Crawford, 1758; Micah Lawrence,
1760.

The district school system continued and the funds were divided
from this time until the city was incorporated. Each district had its
commitee. Under the conditions of travel and for other reasons, the
district system was probably the most efficient possible. The graded
schools were a natural outgrowth of other conditions, of more ample pub-
lic means, of higher standards of education and better trained and bet-
ter-paid teachers. It is true today that school teachers are underpaid
in comparison with men and women of the same ability and education in
other callings, but there has been some advance. As late as 1834 the
teachers here were paid $17 a month in winter and $9 1-3 a month in sum-
mer (women teachers). Board was $2.50 a week for males. There were
20 women and 12 men teachers, instructing more than a thousand pupils.

After the Revolution, in 1785 and 1788, the town was presented by
the grand jury for the neglect of its grammar school, and, when it was
maintained, it appears to have traveled around the center in the circle of

AND ITS PEOPLE 691

districts until 18US when it became stationary. Apparently the con-
tract with the private school was not kept many years.

The high standard of the public schools maintained for nearly a
century past, had its real beginning in a movement led by the l)est edu-
cated and most influential men of the center district of the town in 1833,
when the following committee was elected to report on the needs of the
schools: Samuel M. Burnside, a lawyer; Rev. Aaron Bancroft; Gov.
Levi Lincoln ; Otis Corbett and Samuel Jennison. The essence of their
recommendations was :

Your committee recommend that a board of twelve overseers be chosen annually
by ballot, whose duty it shall be in conjunction with the selectmen to determine upon
the qualifications of instructors and to contract with them for their services ; to de-
termine upon the attainments of scholars to be admitted into said schools respectively;
to prescribe the course of instruction therein and all necessary rules and regulations
for the government thereof; to determine upon all complaints of instructors, of parents
or of scholars, which may arise in relation to said schools, or either of them ; to visit
and examine said schools respectively at stated periods during the year; to encourage
in every suitable manner both instructors and scholars in the performance of their
relative duties; and to make a report in writing annually to the District of the con-
dition of said schools during the period of their office.

Mr. Burnside, finding the recommendations when put into effect to
be highly beneficial and practical, embodied them in an Act of the legis-
lature to govern the school districts of the state, and laid the foundation
of the present admirable school system of the Commonwealth. The
members of the preliminary committee became with one exception mem-
bers of the new board of overseers. For a number of years members of
this board — the school committee — made addresses at the annual exer-
cises at the end of the term, and such men as Rev. Alonzo Hill, Isaac Da-
vis, Alfred D. Foster, John S. C. Abbott, Stephen Salisbury, Judge Ira
M. Barton and William Lincoln were speakers on these occasions. The
custom continued until 1836.

The Centre School Building was advertised for sale May, 1799, by
the Proprietors' Committee — Oliver Fiske, Theophilus Wheeler and John
Green, Jr.

During the period after the Revolution dowm to 183(), the following
were among the teachers employed here : Dr. Amasa Dingley ; Rev.
Thaddeus M. Harris, a distinguished minister and author in later life;
Thomas Payson ; Roger Vose, afterward a lawyer of Walpole, N. H.;
Silas Paul, afterward a lawyer of Leominster ; Andrew Morton, lawyer,
Hampden, Me. ; Calvin Park, afterward professor in Brown ; Isaac
Gates, afterward in the U. S. Army ; Samuel Swan, afterward a lawyer in
Hubbardston ; Rev. Nathan Parker; Dr. Jason Bigelow; Rev. John
Nelson of Leicester ; Nathan Guilford of Cincinnati, O. ; Ebenezer D.
Washburn of Mobile, Ala. ; Levi Heywood ; Rev. Jonathan Going, N.
Y. City; Jonathan Smith, Bath. Me.; John Reed, Worcester; Thomas

692 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Fiske; Benson C. Baldwin, Milford; Leonard Worcester, Newark, N.
J.; George Folsom, N. Y. City; Charles Thurber; Warren Lazell of
Mendon; Albion P. Peck.

Second Private School. — In 1784 another private school was organ-
ized by Elijah Dix, Joseph Allen, Levi Lincoln, Nathan Patch, John
Green, John Nazro, Palmer Goulding and others, and a building erected
on the west side of Main street, on land leased in 1784, bought Sept. 29,
1787. The elementary branches were taught in one school here under
Mr. Brown; the higher branches in "The Seminary," by Thomas Pay-
son. The school bgean auspiciously. Dramatic exhibitions added to the
attractions of the public examinations. The pupils presented the trag-
edy of Cato in August, 1787. But as in the case of its predecessor, when
the children of the founders left the school to go to college or into busi-
ness, the school languished. In May, 1799, the building was advertised for
sale, the school having been discontinued, and in July, 1801, was bought
by the Center district for $950. A public school was afterward main-
tained there. These private grammar schools are mentioned because of
their connection in one way or another with the public schools system.

First School Houses. — The town voted Oct. 7, 1739, not to build a
school house. The supporters of the movement to build a school house
tried again in 1783, and at the meeting IMay 15 it was voted "that there
be a school house built at the charge of the town and placed in the center
of the south half of the town as near as may be with conveniency, having
regard to suitable ground for such a house to stand on and where land
may be purchased in case it falls in men's particular property, provided
the purchase may be on reasonable terms. The length was to be 24
feet, the width 16 feet, one story, of 7-foot studding, with a good
chimney, glass, etc.

Col. John Chandler was given the job of finding the center of the
south half of the town. Evidently he failed to find a satisfactory lot,
for there was an article in the warrant of the meeting in May, 1735, call-
ing for reconsideration of the vote, "and in lieu thereof build one where
the center line may strike the country road or as near there as land will
allow of for a convenient spot as may be reasonably purchased for that
end." After the survey, it was voted "that the committee or those that
still live in the town formerly appointed to build a school house, to as
soon as may be, erect and finish a school house of dimensions formerly
voted at or near the northward corner 6i the land of John Chandler Jr.
where he now dwells and as his fence now stands and that the charge
thereof be paid out of the overplus money now lying in the hands of the
town treasurer as appears by the settlement of the treasurer's last
accounts and the selectmen are directed to give order accordingly."

Evidently the objections of some of the inhabitants held up the
project for two years more. In the warrant for the meeting of June 21,
1738, it is stated that petitioners suggest "that more proper place may be

AND ITS PEOPLE 693

found between the court house and the bridge below the fulling mills."
The town meeting then voted again to reconsider and to locate the school
house between the court house and the bridge. The building had been
started before November, 1738, and was finished in a short time. It was
the only school house for many years. Here John Adams taught school
three years.

In 1748 an attempt was made to have district school houses, but it
failed. Another attempt in 1753 also failed in the town meeting. A
third effort at a meeting, Oct. 17, 1757, met the same fate. The town
reduced its expenditures for schools instead of providing new school
houses.

The second school house was erected by the proprietors of the pri-
vate school already mentioned, James Putnam and others. It was fin-
ished in 1765; located at the northwest corner of the school land Main
Street, near Mechanic.

Not until 1800 were the houses built in the school districts, and
none of them cost over $300. Fine buildings they must have been, 18 to
25 feet square — mere shanties. The little red school house of the orator
was not in evidence in the districts of this town. The old names were
discarded for numbers in 1800, viz : Tatnuck, No. 3 ; Jones, No. 3 ; Bur-
banks's. No. 5; Baird's, No. 6; Gates, No. 7; Fisk's Corner, No. 7;
Burntcoat Plain, No. 9 ; Thaxter's, No. 10. Provision was also made for
two new houses in the center; one at the corner of the old burial place,
and the other opposite the then Unitarian Church, later the Franklin
House. In 1801 the center district bought the second private 'school
building, already mentioned, located on Main Street at the head of Cen-
tral, on the present site of the Chadwick building.

Between 1818 when the city was incorporated and 1855, nine school
houses were built — Pine street ; in Quinsigamond village ; Sycamore
street; Adams square; in the Pond district; Blithewood avenue; at
South Worcester and Thomas street, making a total of 35 schools at a
cost of $58,000. The 15 older school houses were valued at $57,000.
There were 3,300 pupils at that time, 56 female and seven male teachers.
In 1855 the school appropriation was $23,500.

In 1856 the school house at Burncoat Plain was built and that on
Providence street. In 1859, the schools at Tatnuck and Northville ; in
1861, the brick school in Salem square, in 1863 E. Worcester and Masoon
street. In 1865 there were 76 schools and 93 teachers. The first truant
school was opened in 1863.

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CHAPTER XLIV

The Public Schools

The School Committee. — Under the original city charter the schools
were in charge of the mayor and a committee of 24, each ward electing
three members annually, their terms being after 1857 three years. At
first one member was elected from each of the eight wards ; when the
wards were increased to ten, the committee was thus enlarged by six
more members. The work of the committee from the beginning was
largely assigned to sub-committees, the number of which increased
from time to time as the duties of the committee multiplied by reason
of the growth of the city and by the development of the school system,
such as the evening schools, the free school-books, etc. From 1848 to 51 the
mayor was ex-officio chairman, and again from 1866 to 1893 inclusive.
Since then the board has elected its chairman. The names of the mayors
are not included in the list given below. (See Mayors). From 1853 to
1856 eight members were elected at large, two from each ward. War-
ren Lazell was secretary and prudential agent from 1848 to 1852. From
1872 to 75 Samuel V. Stone was secretary, afterward the superintendent
was secretary of the board for many years.

After years of agitation, the charter was amended in 1916 by decreas-
ing the school board to one elected by the people from each ward and
one at large. The first board under this law came into form in 1917.
Albert H. Inman, "at-large" was chairman; Rev. Charles B. Elder, vice-
chairman. The other members : Prof. U. Waldo Cutler, Francis Un-
derwood, James F. Timon, Thomas F. McGauley, John A. Clough,
Thure Hanson, Michael B. Fox, Walter J. Cookson, John E. Rice. The
clerk, Joseph Beals, elected by the committee, annually has served many
years.

Superintendents of schools have been: Rev. George Bushnell, 1857-
58; J. D. E. Jones, 1858-65; B. P. Chenoweth, 1865-67; Albert P. Mar-
ble, 1868-94; Clarence F. Carroll, 1894-1903; Homer P. Lewis, 1904 — .
The committeemen follow (years inclusive) :

Charles F. Adams, 1887-90;
John G. Adams, 1854-55;
George I. Alden, 1893-1903 ;
P. Emory Aldrich, 1869-74;
Alvan Allen, 1859;
Benjamin D. Allen, 1862-3;
James F. Allen, 1849;
J. A. Andrews, 1852;
Nahum H. Andrews, '1859-60;
Calvin W. Angier, 1857;

J. M. C. Armsby, 1858;

George F. Balcom, 1889-94;

John S. Baldwin, 1862-64;

George H. Ball, 1882-83;

Helen A. Ball, 1897;

Charles Ballard, i86o-6r ; 1870-75 ; 1887-

89;
Samuel Bannister, 1853 ;
Forrest E. Barker, 1881-86;
Levi Barker, 1861-63 ;

AND ITS PEOPLE

697

Isaac R. Barbour, 1848;

Rebecca Barnard, 1880-82; 1885-90;

Jonas Bartlett, 1856-62;

J. M. Bassett, 1876-81 ;

Edwin Batty, 1914-16;

Merrick Bemis, 1860-64; 1870;

Reuben Bemis, 1849;

Nathaniel T. Bent, 1851-53;

George W. Bentley, 1853;

Irving E. Bigelow, 1896;

Julian F. Bigelow, 1890-95 ;

Walter Bigelow, Jr., 1851 ;

William Blom, 1907-12;

Joseph E. Bond, 1852 ;

Benjamin F. Bowles, 1868;

Louis E. Bragg, 1911-16;

Calvin M. Brooks, 1853-54;

George F. Brooks, 1890-1905;

John H. Brooks, 1851-53 and i860;

Alzirus Brown, 1876-90;

Alexander H. Bullock, 1855; i860;

Alexander H. Bullock, 1902-08 ;

Amanda C. Bray, 1899-90;

Peter H. Breen, 1907-09;

Freeman Brown, 1886-88 ;

Asa L. Burbank, 1855-60 ;

John F. Burbank, 1849-53;

William H. Burke, 1911-16;

C. C. Burnett, 1850 ;

L. AI. Burrington, 1861-62 ;

George Bushnell, 1850; 1853-55 and 1857:

Daniel P. Callahan, 1911-14;

Samuel P. Capen, 1908-14;

Ariel B. Capron, 1861 ;

Patrick J. Carney, 1910-16;

John J. Casey, 1880-85 ;

Joseph M. Cassidy, 1915-16;

Ephraim F. Chamberlain, 1857-59;

Daniel E. Chapin, 1854-55 ;

Jason Chapin, 1872-73; 1875-77;

Anthony Chase, 1855 ;

Charles A. Chase, 1873-75 !

James K. Churchill, 1879;

Frederick A. Clapp, 1874-75 ;

Samuel Clark, 1863-65 ;

Henry Clarke, 1854; 1856-57;

George S. Clough, 1901-03;

John A. Clough, 1913-18;

Levi L. Conant, 1901-09;

Thomas J. Conaty, 1874-86 ;

Owen H. Conlin, 1880-82 ;

Peter A. Conlin, 1885;

Andrew A. Conlon, 1894;

John B. Cosgrove, 1880-84;

William H. Cook, 1904-08;

Walter J. Cookson, 1908-17;

Phineas Crandell, 1852 ;

Austin P. Cristy, 1882-84;

Edward I. Comins, 1897-1902;

William H. Crawford, 1894-96;

Albert E. Cross, 1916;

James E. Cunnigham, 1905-07;

Albert W. Curtis, 1848; 1858-60;

Ebenezer Cutler, 1858; 1867-68;

U. Waldo Cutler, 1914-18;

Appleton Dadman, 1858;

David F. Daley, 1915-16;

Caleb Dana, 1848-52 ;

John A. Dana, 1853-58 ;

Joseph D. Daniels, 1856; 1863-68;

Thomas M. Daniels, 1900-02;

William S. Davis, 1857-58;

Henry E. Dean, 1912-16;

John Dean, 1865-70 ;

Thomas F. Dean, 1889-91 ;

A. B. Deland, 1854;

Arthur E. Dennis, 1889-92 ;

Wilton H. Desper, 1890-95 ;

John B. Dexter, Jr., 1857 ;

William H. Dexter, 1886-88;

William Dickinson, 1856; 1867-69;

John F. DonnoUy. 1904-07 ;

Jeremiah J. Donohue, 1910-12;

Samuel W. Dougherty, 1878-79;

James Draper. 1871-72;

John B. Drenna, 1886-87;

George A. Dresser, 1852-54 ;

John T. Duggan, 1891-1902;

Dana M. Dustan, 1906-15;

George W. Fames, 1891-99;

Ann B. (Mrs. Edward) Earle, 1869-72;

Edward Earle, 1862-70 ;

John M. Earle, 1853;

Oliver K. Earle, 1859-60;

Sarah B. Earle, 1874-82 ;

Thomas Earle, 1861-66;

Timothy K. Earle, 1855-66;

Andrew K. Eckstrom, 1900-1914;

Andrew W. Edson, 1897 ;

Charles B. Elder, 1909-18;

John W. Emerspn, 1884;

James Estabrook, 1852 ;

James E. Estabrook, 1854 and 1856;

Alichael J. Fallon, 1891-93 ;

Daniel W. Faunce, 1857-59;

Appleton Fay, 1851 ;

M. P. Finnegan, 1873-74;

Abraham Firth, 1863-64;

AND ITS PEOPLE

699

John Firth, 1862-64;

George P. Fisher. 1849;

Seth Fisher, 1848;

Austin G. Fitch, 1849 ;

John A. Fitzgerald, 1901-03;

Benjamin Flagg, 1849;

Samuel Flagg, 1849-51 ;

Joseph E. Flanigan, 1908-10;

M. Bonner Flinn, 1894-1906;

James Forstedt, 1889-98;

Alfred D. Foster, 1848;

Calvin Foster, 1857;

Dwight Foster, 1856; 1858-59;

Emma A. Foster, 1897-98;

Emily F. Foster, 1915-16;

Michael B. Fox, 1917-18;

George E. Francis, 1880-82;

Homer T. Fuller, 1889-91 ;

George W. Gale. 1861 ; 1863-74;

John E. Gallagher. 1895-99;

P. J. Garrigan, 1872 ;

W. Arthur Garrity, 1916;

Austin S. Garver, 1889-01 ;

Samuel F. Gates, 1863 ;

Simon S. Gates, 1849 ;

Orrin P. Gilbert, 1850-52; 1858-59;

Edward B. Glasgow, 1883-85 ;

John F. Gleason, 1855 ;

Delano A. Goddard. 1858-63;

Dorrance S. Goddard, 1867-71 ;

Samuel B. Goddard, 1848;

John S. Gould, 1903-05 ;

Frank P. Goulding, 1872-83 ;

George B. Gow, 1871 ;

Eric O. Granberg, 1910-12;

Louis P. Grandpre, 1904-05 ;

Charles H. Grout, 1896;

Stephanie Grant, 1911-13;

John Gray, 1851 ;

Meltiah B. Green, 1854;

William N. Green, 1848;

William S. Green, 1858-59;

Henry Grififin, 1851 ; 1856-57;

Thomas Griffin, 1871-73 ;

Samuel Griggs, 1849;

James F. Guerin, 1887-92;

Henry Hague, 1898-03 ;

Edward H. Hall, 1870-75 ; 1879-81 ;

Franklin Hall, 1853 and 1856;

Charles Willard Hamilton, 1863-65;

T. W. Hammond, 1858;

Thure Hanson, 1913-18;

Samuel D. Harding. 1856-63;

Levi Hardy, 1850;

George H. Harlow, 1855-56;

William T. Harlow, 1873-78;

Laommi Harrington, 1872-73 ;

Henry F. Harris. 1897-99;

William H. Harris, 1851 ; 1855; 1857;

1859;
Thomas J. Hastings, 1877-79;
Samuel Hathaway, 1859 ;
Samuel F. Haven, 1864-65 ;
Frank H. Hankins, 1915-16;
Frank R. Hayden, 1896-99;
John J. Heron, 1896-99;
Frank D. Hickey, 1892-97;
David Higgins, 1853 ;
Thomas Wentworth Higginson, 1854;
Alonzo Hill, 1849-51; 1857;
Hamilton A. Hill, 1857;

E. H. Hill, 1883-84;
Terrance J. Hines, 1873-75 ;

David Hitchcock, 1849; 1851 ; 1855-56;

1865;
Samuel E. Hildreth, 1888-93;
George Frisbie Hoar, 1858;
Clifton F. Hodge, 1898-01 ;
George Holmes, 1863-65 ;
Pitt Holmes, 1848; 1852;
William R. Hooper, 1849-50;
James Houghton, i860;
Henry W. Howland, 1848-49; 1851 ;
Joseph A. Howland, 1888;
John J. Hughes, 1886-88;
Andrew Hutchinson, 1850-52; 1855;
Albert H. Inman, 1910-18;
George Jaques, 1848-50; 1866-72;
Horace James, 1854-55 :
Frederick Janes. 1848 ;
Gustavus A. Jenks, 1855 ;
Clark Jillson, 1891-93;
Charles R. Johnson, 1877-78; 1896-15;
John D. E. Jones, 1856-57 ; 1859-60 ;
Lewis Joy, 1850 ;
Daniel J. Kelley, 1885-90;

F. H. Kelley, 1857 ;
James P. Kelly, 1877-78;
Joseph H. Kelley, 1885-90 ;
Francis L. King, 1866-68;
Charles B. Knight, 1876-78;

Henry S. Knight, 1883-85; 1891-94; 1906-

09;
Calvin Knowlton, 1852;
John S. C. Knowlton, 1849 and 1856;
Thomas M. Lamb, 1861-67;
William M. Lamb, 1852;
Timothy F. Larkin, 1910-12 ;

y:^ m

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AND ITS PEOPLE

701

Charles M. Lamson, 1879-84;

Warren Lazell, 1840-50; 1854;

Daniel Waldo Lincoln, 1856;

Nellie Weber Lincoln, 1897-01 ;

William Sever Lincoln, 1853 ;

Joseph F. Lovering, 1884-89;

Thomas Magennis, 1849-56; 1858-67;

Charles F. Marble, 1904-15;

Edwin T. Marble, i860; 1873-80;

Frank J. Marlowe, 1906;

Asaph R. Marshall, 1880-82;

Joseph Mason, 1848; 1850;

James J. McCafferty, 1875-77 ;

M. J. McCafferty, 1871-73 ;

Matthew J. P. McCafferty, 1884-85 ;

M. S. McConville, 1861 ; 1864-65;

John J. McCoy, 1881-84;

James McDermott, 1872-74;

Thomas E. McEvoy, 1896 ;

Edward D. McFarland, 1858; 1866-68

Thomas F. McGauley, 1917-18;

John T. McGillicuddy, 1897-03;

William W. McKibben, 1907-09;

James McMahon, 1874-76;

F. J. McNulty, 1875-76 ;

GAL. Two Hun & Fifty-seven— Lewis.

S. J. McNully, 1872-75 ;

James Melanefy, 1867-69 ;

Rufus N. Merriam, 1868-70;

Helen B. Merriam, 1885-86;

Caleb B. Metcalf, 1865-67; 1869-80;

P. Reinhold Meyer, 1913-16;

Samuel P. Miller, 185 1 ;

Seth P. Miller, 1855;

Philip L. Moen, 1854-55 ;

John N. Moore, 1874;

Eugene M. Moriarty, 1876-78; 1881-96;

Helen A. B. Morse, 1897-1900;

C. M. Murray, 1875 ;

John F. Murray, 1870-71 ;

T. Edward Murray, 1873-75 ;

Jeremiah L. Murphy. 1874 to 83 ;

John Murphy, 1892-96 ;

John L. Murphy, 1868-70;

Timothy H. Murphy, 1878-80;

Natan M. Muzzy, 1856;

Benjamin F. Newton, 1852;

Calvin Newton, 1848-49; 1851-52;

John C. Newton, 1849-55 ; 1860-71 ;

Thomas L. Nelson, 1858; 1867-68;

L. B. Nichols, 1855;

Peter J. Nihill, 1886-91;

Timothy J. O'Connor, 1904-05 ;

Richard O'Flynn, 1877-80; 1883-84;

Michael J. O'Meara, 1893-96; 1900-08;

Daniel H. O'Neill, 1874;

Michael J. O'Reilly, 1903-08;

Patrick T. O'Reilly, 1866-70;

George F. Orr, 1895-96;

Melvin G. Overlock, 1901-05;

Thomas J. O'Sullivan, 1878;

Henry L. Parker, 1882-87 ;

Levi Parker, 1862: •

H. K. Pervear, 1867-69 ;

Edward H. Peabody, 1872-73;

Francis M. Phelan. 1898-1900;

George W. PhiUips. 1881-83;

Levi Pierce, 1853;

Francis Plunkett, 1876-78;

George A. Power, 1911-16;

John J. Power, 1859-70;

Calvin E. Pratt, 1852-53;

Joseph Pratt, 1854 and 1858 ;

Charles G. Prentiss, 1848;

Samuel Putnam, 1861 ; 1863-69;

Joseph T. Quinlan, Jr., 1913-15;

John B. Ratigan, 1887-89;

Deering L Rawson, 1850 ;

E. T. Raymond, 1900-02;

Werden Reynolds, 1859;

George C. Reidy, 1882-85;

Maurice F. Reidy, 1909-10;

Benjamin P. Rice, 1852;

Frank H. Rice, 1861 ; 1863-66 ;

George H. Rice, 1905-10;

Henry C. Rice, 1857;

John E. Rice, 1910-18;

William W. Rice, 1853-54; 1856-57;

Benjamin F. Robinson, 1893;

Anna B. Rogers, 1875-80;

George W. Russell, 1849 ; i860 ; 1862 ;

Thomas E. St. John, 1861 ; 1863-66 ; 1877-

79;
Herbert C. Sanborn, 1914-15;
William H. Sanford, 1865-66;
George L. Sanford, 1887-92;
L. M. Sargent, 1865;
Emil Sauer, 1906-07 ;
Edward M. Saunier, 1906-10 ;
Daniel J. Savage, 1888-96;
John L. Savage, 1912-14;
Dennis Scannell, 1881-86;
Dennis J. Scannel, 1873 ;
John E. Scofield, 1916;
Peter O. Shea, 1906-09;
Rush R. Shippen, 1860-68;
Henry Y. Simpson, 1871 ;
Nicholas J. Skerrett, 1907-09;

o

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AND ITS PEOPLE

703

William T. Sleeper, 1855;

George A. Slocomb, 1903-11;

Elam Smalley, 1848; 1850-51;

Albert L. Smith, 1897-16;

E. Walter Smith, 1911-13;

George P. Smith, 1849;

Joseph A. Smith, 1903-04 ;

Robert L. Smith, 1860-62;

William A. Smith, 1876;

William T. Souther, 1885-92;

Moses Spooner, 1853 ;

Homer B. Sprague, 1855-56;

Samuel E. Staples, 1869-71 ;

E. S. Stebbins, 1857 ;

Elijah B. Stoddard, 1868-79;

Samuel V. Stone, 1854; 1858-62-64-72;

Benjamin F. Stowell, 1853 and 1856;

Samuel B. Swain, 1848; 1850-51; 1853;

Eugene E. Sullvian, Jr., 1906-16;

John H. Sullivan, 1897-03;

John N. Sullivan, 1909-14;

Oscar S. Svenson, 1906-09 ;

George Swan, 1879-90 ;

Seth Sweetser, 1848; 1853-54;

Kate C. Taft, 1881-89;

Putnam W. Taft, 1851-55;

Marvin M. Taylor, 1902-04;

Charles A. Tenney, 1865-67;

Adin Thayer, 1856;

Charles M. Thayer, 1895-97 ;

Eli Thayer, 1852;

Charles O. Thompson, 1874-76 ;

George F. Thompson, 1883-84; 1885-88;

George Thrall, 1871 ;

O. H. Tillotson, 1850-51 ;

James F. Timon, 1913-18;

John Timon, 1876-81 ;

Edward F. Tolman, 1885-88;

Vincent E. Tomlinson, 1904-12;

John Toomey, 1858;

Edward H. Trobridge, 1908-10;

Augustus Tucker, 1855;

Elmer G. Tucker, 1910-11 ;

Thomas Tucker, 1850 and 1855;

James P. Tuite, 1879-80;

George R. Tuson, 1906-16;

J. H. Twombly, i860;

William H. Tylee, 1902-07;

Francis A. Underwood, 1897-1918;

George R. Warfield, 1893-95;

J. Henry Walker, 1874-75;

Willard Ward, 1856-59;

Justin A. Ware, 1891-96;

Emerson Warner, 1869-87;

Henry W. Warren, 1856 ;

Charles Washburn, 1848-50;

Francis Wayland, Jr., 1857 ;

Ephraim D. Weatherbee, 1852 ;

John W. Wetherell, 1850 and 1853;

Loring Wetherell, 1857;

Charles A. Wheeler, 1850-51; 1865; 1869-

71;
O. O. Wheeler, 1869-71 ;
James A. Whipple, 1855;
G. Henry Whitcomb, 1871-73;
Franklin B. White, 1876-79;
George H. White, 1894-96 ; 1898-1900 ;
Henry E. Whyman, 1897 ;
Edward W. Wilder, 1912-16;
Hartley Williams, 1849; 1866-73;
James O. Williams, 1854;
William A. Williams, 1852-54 ; 1862-63 ;
Herbert M. Wilson, 1899-16;
Ephraim D. Witherbee, 1854;
Pliny W. Wood, 1909-11 ;
Rufus Woodward, 1869-72; 1875-83;
James S. Woodworth. 1861-65;
William Workman, 1849-51; 1859-62;
Willie C. Young, 1884-86 ; 1893-95-

The Public Schools in 1917.— The following were the schools in 1917 :

The Public Schools in /p//.— Classical High School, Chatham St. Principal, Ed-
ward R. Goodwin; assistant principal, Chester T. Porter; an assistant and thirty-
two other teachers; 811 pupils.

High School of Commerce (formerly the English High). Maple St. Calvin H.
Andrews, principal; Robert T. Elliott, assistant principal; three assistants and 54
other teachers ; 1,460 pupils.

South High School, Richards and Freeland streets. Edward M. Woodward, prin-
cipal; Thomas F. Power, assistant principal; two assistants and 29 other teachers;
832 pupils.

North High School, Salisbury St. Charles E. Burbank, principal; George H.

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Boyden, assistant principal ; two assistants and 33 other teachers ; 824 pupils.

Graded Schools.— Abbott St. School. Grades 8 to K. Alice M. Belding, princi-
pal ; 12 other teachers ; 443 pupils.

Adams Square School. Grades 8 to i. Burncoat street, opposite Millbrook.
Mary Drake, principal. Eight other teachers; 312 pupils.

Adams Street School. Grades 4 to K. Adams street. Ellen E. Moynihan, prin-
cipal ; nine other teachers ; 320 pupils.

Andover Street School. Grades 6 to i. Alma A. Bacon, principal, and sevet
other teachers; 208 pupils.

Ash Street School. Grades 6 to i. Ash street. Joseph J. Kiley, principal, and
six other teachers ; 227 pupils.

Belmont Street School. Grades 8 to i. Belmont street, corner Clayton. Ben-
jamin E. Martin, principal, and 18 other teachers; 665 pupils.

Blithewood School. Grades 7 to i. Blithewood avenue. Abbie C. Knight, prin-
cipal, and four other teachers; 139 pupils.

Bloomingdale School. Grades 6 to i. Plantation street. Louise M. Beaumont
and six other teachers ; 216 pupils.

Burncoat Plain School. Grades 7 to i. Burncoat street, near Mountain. Kath-
arine T. Kennedy, principal, and four other teachers; 113 pupils.

Cambridge Street School. Grades 8 to K. Cambridge street, corner Middle
River road. William A. Tierney, principal, and 19 other teachers ; 642 pupils.

Canterbury Street School. Grades 8 to K. Canterbury and South Bridge streets.
Thomas J. Higgins, principal, and 23 other teachers ; 836 pupils.

Chandler Street School. Grades 8 to K. Chandler street, opposite Newbury.
Cora A. Baldwin, principal, and nine other teachers ; 372 pupils.

Columbus Park School. Grades 6 to i. Helen F. Walker, principal, and six other
teachers ; 201 pupils.

Dartmouth Street School. Grades 7 to K. Frank A. Andrews, principal, and 17
other teachers ; 593 pupils.

Dix Street School. Grades 8 to K. Home and Dix streets. Frederick W. Ver-
mille, and 18 other teachers ; 621 pupils.

Downing Street School. Grades 7 to K. Downing street, near Park avenue.
Kate E. Smith, principal, and 13 other teachers ; 506 pupils.

East Kendall Street School. Grades 8 to K. East Kendall street. Edith M. Rol-
ston, principal, and 17 other teachers; 606 pupils.

Edgeworth Street School. Grades 8 to K. William F. Butler, principal, and 17
other teachers ; 615 pupils.

Elizabeth Street School. Grades 8 to K. Elizabeth street, near Reservoir. Emma
M. Plimpton, principal, and 13 other teachers ; 473 pupils.

Freeland Street School. Grades 7 to i. Freeland street, near Lowell. Jennie L.
Dearborn, principal, and eight other teachers; 311 pupils.

Gage Street School. Grades 6 to K. Gage street, near Eastern avenue. George F.
McCauley, principal, and 19 other teachers ; 644 pupils.

Gates Lane School. Grades 8 to K. Main street, corner Holland road. Anna W.
Newell, principal, and 14 other teachers ; 529 pupils.

Grafton Street School. Grades 8 to K. Grafton street, corner Wall. Joseph E.
Underwood, principal, and 25 other teachers; 899 pupils.

Greendale School. Grades 8 to K. Leeds street, corner Fairhaven road. Anna
M. Johnson, principal, and 11 other teachers; 403 pupils.

Harlow Street School. Grades 7 to i. Harlow street, corner Paine. Annie J.
Butterfield, principal, and eleven other teachers ; 420 pupils.

Jamesville School. Grades 5 to i. James street, near Ludlow. Florence St.
Arnour, principal, and two other teachers ; 82 pupils.

W.-I-45.

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Lake View School. Grades 8 to K. Lake View street. Wilfred E. L. Todd,
principal, and six other teachers ; 241 pupils.

Lamartine Street School. Grades 8 to K. Lamartine street, corner Scott. Rich-
ard H. Mooney, principal, and 30 other teachers ; 937 pupils.

Ledge Street School. Grades 8 to K. Ledge street. Thomas F. O'Flynn, prin-
cipal, and 23 other teachers ; 758 pupils.

Lee Street School. Grades 6 to K. Institute road, corner Lee street. Annie Y.
Milliken, principal, and three other teachers ; 141 pupils.

Ludlow Street School. Grades 6 to K. Ludlow street, near Main. Emma S.
Barrett, principal, and three other teachers; 115 pupils.

Malvern Road School. Grades 8 to K. Malvern road, near Southbridge street.
Carrie A. Hildreth, principal, and eight other teachers ; 285 pupils.

Mason Street School. Special school for backward children. Mason street, near
Pleasant. Margaret V. Kirby, principal, and one other teacher ; 20 pupils.

Midland Street School. Grades 7 to K. Midland street. Mary E. Latchford,
principal, and nine other teachers ; 331 pupils.

Millbury Street School. Grades 8 to K. Millbury strtct, opposite Cambridge.
G. Milton Fisher, principal, and 26 other teachers ; 846 pupils.

North Pond School. Grades 6 to i. Holden street, near Chester. Harriet E.
Wheeler, principal ; one other teacher ; 68 pupils.

North Worcester School. Grades 4 to i. Ararat street. Catherine M. McKenna,
teacher ; 18 pupils.

Oxford Street School. Grades 7 to i. Pleasant street, corner Oxford. Alice
G. Draper, principal, and eight other teachers ; 296 pupils.

Providence Street School. Grades 7 to K. Providence street, corner Grafton.
Henry H. Kendall, principal, and 20 other teachers ; 675 pupils.

Quinsigamond School. Grades 8 to K. Millbury street, corner Falmouth. George
Ruff, principal, and 20 other teachers ; 823 pupils.

Rice Square School. Grades 7 to I. Massasoit road, near Grafton street. John
B. Crowley, principal, and 15 other teachers; 396 pupils.

Salem Street School. Grades 4 to i. Salem street, near Myrtle. Mary A. Mc-
Gillicuddy, principal, and three other teachers ; 165 pupils.

Sever Street School. Grade 8 and 7. Sever street, near Pleasant. Edgar E.
Thompson, principal, and eight other teachers ; 239 pupils.

Tatnuck School. Grades 8 to K. Pleasant street, opposite Willard avenue. Mary
E. Cunnigham, principal, and seven other teachers ; 247 pupils.

Thomas Street School. Grades 7 to K. Thomas street, corner Summer. Kath-
arine T. Butler, principal, and 12 other teachers ; 434 pupils.

Trowbridgeville School. Grades 7 to i. Webster street, corner Bernice. Mabel
E. Burrage, principal, and three other teachers ; 137 pupils.

Union Hill School. Grades 5 to K. Dorchester street, near Penn avenue. Etha
M. Stowell, principal, and 11 other teachers; 392 pupils.

Upsala Street School. Grades 8 to K. Upsala street. Mary C. Henry, principal,
and 17 other teachers; 667 pupils.

Ward Street School. Grades 7 to K. Ward street, corner Richaldn. A. Teresa
Timon, principal, and 12 other teachers ; 441 pupils.

Webster Square School. Grades 4 to K. Webster street, near Main. Florence
D. Gilbert, principal, and three other teachers ; 128 pupils.

West Boylston Street School. Grades 7 to i. West Boylston street. Grace E,
Oliver, principal, and eight other teachers ; 289 pupils.

Winslow Street School. Grades 7 to K. Edgar E. Thompson, principal, and 12
other teachers ; 450 pupils.

(New) Woodland Street School. Grades 8 to 7. Woodland street. John E.
Lynch, principal, and eight other teachers ; 305 pupils.

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Woodland Street School. Grades 6 to K. Woodland street, corner Claremont
John E. Lynch, principal, and 17 other teachers ; 641 pupils.

Preparatory Gravimar Schools.— ¥rtnch, three teachers ; German, three teachers.
Cooking Schools, Jessica Scott, director, and seven other teachers. Drawing Schools,
Edward H. Thornhill, director, and six other teachers. Kindergarten, Mary H. Bar-
ker, director. Manual Training, Arthur J. Bean, director, and 18 other teachers. Mu-
sic, Charles I. Rice, director, and two other teachers. Physical Training, Edward W.
Wilder, director, and seven other teachers. Sewing, Clara M. Gore, director, and six
other teachers. Writing, Margaret B. Toole. Salesmanship, Anjenette Newton.

Evening Schools.— R\g\i School (Walnut street, corner Maple). Daniel F.
O'Regan, principal ; 856 pupils. Belmont Street School, William F. Butler, principal ;
149 pupils. Canterbury Street School, George F. McCauley, principal; 38 pupils.
Chandler Street School, Thomas F. O'Flynn, principal; 128 pupils. Gage Street
School, James M. Daley, principal; in pupils. Grafton Street School, John B. Crow-
ley, principal, 73 pupils. Greendale School, Thomas F. Donovan, principal ; 50 pupils.
Lamartine Street School, Mark N. Skerrett, principal; 50 pupils. Millbury Street
School, E. A. D. AIoss, principal; 75 pupils. Providence Street School, William I.
McLaughlin, principal; 163 pupils. Quinsigamond Street School, Joseph M. Tracy,
acting principal; 35 pupils; Webster Square School, Joseph J. Kiley, acting princi-
pal; 14 pupils.

Drawing (architectural), Charles R. Hoyle ; (freehand), Frank J. Darrah and
Ethel M. Smith; (mechanical), Geo. E. Marble; Manual Training, Arthur H. Atkins
and Daniel P. Dyer; Pattern Making, Frank E. Jones; Cooking, five teachers.

Worcester Trade 5"c/joo/.y.— Trustees, Louis H. Buckely, president; George L
Alden, vice-president; Charles F. Marble, clerk; John M. Buckely, Cornelius J.
Carmody, George N. Jeppson, Thomas J. Lynch, John B. Moss, William Wattie. Boys'
Trade School, Armory square, established 1909. Albert J. Jameson, director; Anna
L. Metcalf, registrar; 29 other teachers. Girls' Trade School, 2 State street, estab-
lished 1911. Helen R. Hildreth, director; and 25 other teachers.

Superintendent of Schools, Homer P. Lewis; assistant superintendents, Alice L.
Harris, Walter S. Young, John F. Gannon.

Qualifications of Teachers. — To obtain a position as teacher in the
grade schools the applicant must have passed an examination. She must
be a high school graduate, or its equivalent; must have attended the full
three years' Normal School course, and have served one year's appren-
ticeship, and her examination mark must be 75% or better. After being
put upon the list— the applicants being taken from the top of the list in
all cases — her position advances according to her experience as a teacher
in the meantime. All high school teachers must be college graduates,
no examination is required, and no college is given preference. The
transfer of a teacher is made by the superintendent subject to the
approval of the School Committee. This is the same method required
to obtain a leave of absence.

School Grades. — In the list of schools given in this chapter mention
is made of the kindergarten (K— ) and grades 1 to 8. Worcester schools
had for many years nine grades ; since 1911 there have been but eight.
The change was effected without confusion or lowering of standards.
The minimum age for entrance was raised from five to six. Children
may enter the kindergarten not younger than five years. The course

AND ITS PEOPLE 711

of instruction is prescribed by law and is uniform throughout the state.
Since 1908 the school year has been divided so that graduations are held
in February as well as June, saving many pupils a half year of time.

Medical Inspection. — In recent years the health of school children
has been guarded more and more, and under the laws of the state con-
stant medical supervision is exercised by the school committee. In 1917
the school medical inspectors are: Doctors Edward B. Bigelow, Philip
H. Cook, George E. Deering. George E. Emery, Timothy J. Foley,
Thomas F. Kenney, William E. Laughlin, Edwin R. Leib, Charles A.
Lussier, Frank L. Magnus, John T. McGillicuddy, Lester C. Miller,
George F. O'Day, John E. Rice, George O. Ward, Roy J. Ward.

Attendance Officers. — The appointment of the first truant officer of
the town has been mentioned. From year to year a constable or several
officers were appointed to enforce the compulsory education laws. This
duty has been performed of late years by attendance officers appointed by
the committee. Richard J. Kerwick, the chief, has three assistants :
Michael j. English, W^illiam J. McCleary and James P. Foley (191?) .
There is also a supervisor of attendance elected by the committee. Miss
Edith M. Dixon fills the position at the present time.

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CHAPTER XLV
The High Schools— Trade Schools

Worcester Classical High School. — It is not granted to every school
to have as one of its earliest masters a man who afterwards became pres-
ident of the United States; this distinction belongs to the Worcester
Classical High School, for John i\dams (1755-58) was the first recorded
head of the Latin Grammar School which, together with the Girls Eng-
lish High School was incorporated in the Worcester Classical and Eng-
lish High School as it was called from 184:5 to 1892.

Geniuses seldom confine their activities to one spot and, like its
illustrious first leader, this school has had a varied career, even to the
extent of several changes in location. From 1815 to 1872 sessions were
held, including Saturdays, in the old building on Walnut street, now
used as a Manual Training School It was originally on the
site of the present High School of Commerce. When new the pres-
ent antiquated structure was considered a most sumptuous building and
was proudly commented upon in the school board reports of that time.
When the original one hundred and seventy-five pupils had so increased
that the building was no longer adequate, it was moved across the street
to its present site, and while the edifice at the corner of Maple and Wal-
nut streets was being constructed the pupils were housed in various parts
of the city. This building has now become a landmark, and its lofty
clock tower and imposing entrance are the work of a genius, for H. H.
Richardson, the designer, afterwards became one of the leading architects
of the country. The original effect has been much disturbed by the
recent large addition, which however houses a beautiful and spacious
hall, and numerous well lighted recitation rooms.

For twenty years following 1872 this school was a powerful influence
in the educational world ; but in 1892 it had to share the honors with a
young and lusty child, the English High School, at the corner of Irv-
ing and Chatham streets. By a curious trick of fate this offspring, now
called the High School of Commerce, in 1914 seized upon the newly
enlarged family homestead and offered its own smaller quarters to the
"old folks." The change was, however, made amicably, but with con-
siderable loss of traditions, for it seemed unwise to move all the accu-
mulations of forty-two years residence, and some of the schools' most
cherished possessions are still in the old halls.

It is impossible in a short sketch to mention all the noteworthy
teachers who have been connected with the Classical High School, but it
seems necessary to include the names at least of the sixteen elected prin-
cipals since 1845. Elbridge Smith, the head master of the Latin Gram-

714 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

mar School, was the logical choice of the school board for principal of
the newly formed school, and he continued in service for two years, leav-
ing to organize a high school in Cambridge, a position which testifies to
his reputation for efficiency.

Elected in 1847, Nelson Wheeler, previously head of the Manual
Labor High School, now the Worcester Academy, controlled for five
years the destinies of this Worcester School and then accepted a Greek
professorship in Bro-wn University. The following two years (1852-54)
found George Capron at the helm. Possessed of a very muscular idea of
discipline, he seems to have weeded out the unfit, for the school is reported
to have fallen ofif greatly in attendance. He declined re-election in 1854,
and apparently devoted his time to business pursuits. Osgood Johnson fol-
lowed him, but left two weeks before the close of the year as a result of
some differences with the school board. A man of very scholarly attain-
ments and honored with the highest salary yet paid ($1500), he seems
to have gone to the other extreme from his predecessor, and in place
of the rod he substituted the prayer meeting which was sometimes held
both before school and at noon. He was apparently beloved by his
pupils and was elected next year as princi])al of the Cambridge High
School.

To fill out the school year. Homer B. Sprague, a member of the school
board, took charge, and gave such satisfaction that he was retained until
1859. Some disturbance arising, the teachers resigned in a body, and the
trouble resulted in a vote to lower Principal Sprague to the rank of
teacher, and promote Harris Greene, one of the teachers, to the princi-
palship. Mr. Sprague declined to serve longer in any capacity, and
apparently gave up teaching, retaining, however, in the matter the
respect and admiration of his pupils. He afterwards acquired a consider-
able reputation as a scholarly writer on English Classics. The whole
incident, arising probably in the politics of the day, proves that the "good
old times" were almost gruesomely modern.

The next principal, Harris Greene, elected in 1851), gave the school
till 1866 one of its best administrations. Scholarly and progressive, he
incited all to their best efforts, and during the trying period of the Civil
War he preached the patriotism of the daily task, while speeding on their
way the many High School boys who left never to return. Among these
was Willie Grout, in whose honor was written "The X'acant Chair," a
song now of national fame. For thirteen years after leaving the High
School, Mr. Greene was principal of the Oread Institute, thus giving the
best part of his life to the educational welfare of Worcester. He made
many innovations, among which was the public graduation, the pu])ils
having previously, as one commentator expresses it, "stayed till the spirit
of leaving overtook them."

Of the short stay of James T. Claflin, less than a year, another
result of "unpleasant conditions," it is not necessary to speak. Init his

AND ITS PEOPLE 71 5

failure to please a Worcester public did not prevent his attaining high
honors in the educational, political and literary life of the country.

Ellis Peterson's service (1867-75) owing to ill health, was inter-
rupted by the principalship of Abner H. Davis (1869-72). Mr. Davis,
who was a teacher in the school, cheerfully accepted his return to the
ranks in favor of the re-election of his former chief. During Mr. Davis'
administration, in 1871 the building at the corner of Maple and Walnut
streets was dedicated. Principal Davis' felicitous remark on that occa-
sion is worthy of mention. "The most eloquent dedication will be the
touch of the children's feet." The "unpleasant conditions," which occur-
red with almost uncanny frequency, forced the resignation in 1875
of Mr. Peterson and his "faithful Achates," Mr. Davis. Both men, how-
ever, kept their interest in the school, and in after years by their gifts and
attendance at various school reunions testified to a forgiving spirit.

Joseph W. Fairbanks (1875-78) was an efficient and highly respected
principal, but the city was compelled, evidently by hard times, to reduce
the teachers' salaries twice, and Mr. Fairbanks was attracted by a more
remunerative position, in this case the principalship of the famous Wil-
liston Academy.

Samuel Thurber (1878-80) began his term under most favorable
conditions, but his superior qualities were soon recognized by the Bos-
ton School Board and he was ofifered the principalship of the Girls High
School, a position which he held almost continually for the remainder
of his long life.

No short sketch could do justice to Alfred S. Roe, who was principal
from 1880 to 1890, and a teacher in the school for the five years preceding.
His labors of love are evidenced on every hand, and his pupils revere his
memory. His recent death gave occasion for his many friends to renew
their appreciation of his service for Worcester. Memorial exercises were
held in the Classical High School, at which time an oil painting of Mr.
Roe, the gift of the Alumni, w^as presented to the school. Following
his resignation he served the community in several legislative connec-
tions, including that of State Senator. In his later life he was supervisor
of the Evening Schools of Worcester, a position which he held at the
time of his death.

John G. Wright (1890-94) gave of his best to the school, but like
that of so many of his predecessors his ability was recognized by a more
remunerative position, and he became the head of a Philadelphia high
school.

The next term of twenty-three years was unusual for its length, and
in Edward R. Goodwin the school found a kindly friend who encouraged
All school activities and rejoiced in the splendid record made by his stu-
dents in higher institutions. The service of seven teachers, four of them
graduates of the school, was contemporaneous with that of Mr. Goodwin,
a fact which induced a family spirit difficult to duplicate in any school.

AND ITS PEOPLE 717

His retirement to private life was the occasion of a substantial testi-
monial on the part of teachers, alumni and students. He was the first
Classical High teacher to receive the benefits of the new State pension
laws.

Chester T. Porter, assistant principal for three years preceding his
election in 1917 and a teacher in the school for sixteen years before,
assumed his duties in the early days of the Great War. Under his lead-
ership the school is making a splendid record in patriotic service, having
a very active Junior Red Cross Chapter, beside subscribing generously
to Liberty Loans and other war contributions. Like the previous war
principal, Mr. Greene, he has emphasized attention to school duties as
the students' most patriotic service, although several of the Classical
High boys have left for active war work.

No mention has been made of any teacher thus far, but it seems
impossible not to include the names of Mary P. Jefts, Caroline P. Town-
send and William F. Abbot, wdio during nearly all of the last four prin-
cipalships have been connected with the school in the departments with
which they are associated. They have gained a highly deserved repu-
tation for scholarly teaching, as well as unselfish service, and they are
remembered as friends in thousands of homes.

For many years the school has held admission certificate privileges
to all New England colleges which grant the right. This fact, as well
as the records in scholarship won by many of its graduates, attest the
thoroughness and progressiveness of its work.

Apart from the routine of the class room, the school has always been
characterized by other activities wdiich have greatly stimulated school
spirit and loyalty. In 1885 an Athletic Association was formed, and
since, then interest along these lines has been very strong. For a num-
ber of years the school has supported successful football, baseball, bask-
et-ball and track teams. The training secured in these activities has
made it possible for many a boy to become a star in his chosen college.
Basket-ball has been very popular among the girls for the past fifteen
years.

Debating societies have also played a prominent part in the life of
the school. As early as 1858 the Eucleia was organized. Almost a quar-
ter of a century later the girls formed a debating society known as the
Aletheia. In 1883 the Sumner Club was organized, and two years later
the Assembly. The latter was transferred to the English High School
when it was opened in 1892. All these societies have had varied fortunes
and degrees of prosperity during all these years, but everyone of them has
left its mark upon the school and upon the large number of men and
women who received their first training in public speaking in the weekly
meetings of these societies. In the inter-school debating contests both
the Eucleia and the Sumner Club have held honorable records.

For many years it has been the custom for the graduating class to

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make the school some appropriate gift. This has usually taken the
form of some work of art, but in TJl?, directly after our entrance into
war, the senior class chose a beautiful silk flag as the most fitting gift
at such a time.

Dramatics, too, have had their share in the history of the school.
Among the most memorable of these efforts have been the Senior Plays
of 1915 and 1918. In 1915 "Silas Marner" was dramatized by Miss May-
nard, a member of the class, and most creditably presented under the
direction of Mr. Martin Post, a teacher of English. In 1918 "The Vicar
of Wakefield," dramatized and directed by Mr. Post, was presented in the
Worcester Theatre and reflected great credit upon all concerned.

In 1886 the Alumni and teachers formed an organization known as
the High School Association. It meets once a year, on the evening of
Graduation Day, and affords an opportunity for class reunions. For
the better part of a century the Classical High School has been an impor-
tant factor in the social and educational life of Worcester. At the pres-
ent writing it shares these responsibilities with three other high schools,
but its traditions of efficiency and service are a rich possession and are
an inspiration to all who come within its walls.

North High School. — The North High School was established Octo-
ber 3, 1911, and graduated its first class in June, 1913. The school was first
housed in the small but handsome building designed by Stephen C. Earle,
and used for several years as a grammar school. Its very accessible loca-
tion, on Salisbury street, near the junction of Grove, Lincoln, Belmont,
and Main, is the best in the city, but the accommodations proved inade-
quate almost from the beginning. The very old grammar school build-
ing on Sycamore street, though far removed, was turned over to the
school in October, 1913, but in June, 1914, it was made a part of the
more recently organized High School of Commerce. In September, 1916,
was completed, just north of the old Salisbury street building, a much
larger one, of which the architect was John T. Simpson, of Newark, New
Jersey. The two structures are connected and used by the one school.
There is an excellent gymnasium and one of the most unique and attrac-
tive auditoriums in the city. The school numbers over thirty teachers
and over seven hundred pupils.

When the school was first established. Miss Nellie C. Thomas, who
had been principal of the grammar school, served for a time as acting
principal, until Mr. Charles E. Burbank, a teacher of the Classical High
School, was given the permanent appointment. In the fall of 1913 the
North High School Record, a quarterly, began publication, and in 1915,
the Aftermath, an annual, issued by the class graduating in June of
each year. The athletic teams maintained are : Football, baseball, boys'
basket-ball, girls' basket-ball, cross country, track, tennis, and hockey.
The societies are the Orchestra, Girls' Glee Club, Dramatic Club, the Athe-
neuni and the Forum, debating clubs for girls and boys respectively, N

■20

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Club, Chess and Checker Club, x\lumni Association. November 20, 1917,
the entire school was chartered as a chapter of the Junior Red Cross.

Recently as the school had been founded, on December 17, 1917, sixty-
eight of its former pupils were already in the service. About seventy
pupils cultivated gardens at Green Hill, in the food conservation move-
ment, besides many others who had them at home or engaged in regu-
lar work for farmers. Of those who finish the four years' course, a very
high percentage enter higher institutions of learning.

South High School. — The third high school building in the city was
erected in 1900-01 at a cost of $180,000, and occupied in September, 1901.
It is located on Richards street, and known as the South High School.
It is a brick building, three stories high, with 23 class-rooms. It pro-
vided for 700 pupils; at the beginning enrolled about 400, and within
four years was filled to its capacity. Before another building was pro-
vided to relieve the overcrowding of the high schools, its enrollment
increased to 1025. Various temporary buildings, rooms in grammar
school buildings and other quarters, were provided for the overflow.

This school has maintained a high standard and in some respects
has served as a model. xA.bout 80 per cent, of its graduates enter col-
leges, normal or technical schools. Its laboratories were equipped and
planned by Calvin H. Andrews, now principal of the High School of
Commerce, and they are frequently visited by school authorities and
copied by other schools. The first principal, Homer P. Lewis, resigned
at the end of two years to become superintendent of schools, and was
succeeded by Edward M. Woodward, who has filled the position since
September, 1903. (See biographies of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Woodward).
The school has attained enviable distinction in athletics and through its
literary organizations. The Congress Debating Society, organized in
1902, has been active from the beginning and maintains a membership
of about sixty. In contests with other high schools it has won one cup
and has two points to its credit on another. The Philomathia, the
debating society for girls, was organized in 1905 and has about sixty
members. The South High Dramatic Club, composed of both boys and
girls, was established in 1902 for the purpose of studying and presenting
plays. Meetings are held weekly and plays presented twice a year.
The membership is limited to fifty. The Index, a monthly newspaper,
founded in 1908, edited by the board of students with an adviser from the
faculty is published ten times a year. It is a neat, crisp, well-edited pub-
lication. Its motto is "Clean Speech, Clean Athletics, Clean Living." It
has served a very useful purpose and is an institution of which teachers
as well as pupils, are justly proud.

The South High Orchestra has been the means of developing much
musical talent among the pupils. It was founded in 1902. Rehearsals
are held weekly during the school year. The orchestra furnishes music
at all important school gatherings. For many years it played at the

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AND ITS FECFLE 721

graduating exercises in Mechanics Hall. It has provided a source of
revenue not only for its own expenses, but for other school purposes, by-
playing in department stores and entertainments. Miss Elizabeth C.
Woodman of the faculty has instructed the orchestra and trained the
glee clubs that have worked with the orchestra from time to time in
providing musical entertainments. Even comic operas have been pro-
duced very successfully by the students.

South High has maintained foot-ball, baseball and basket ball teams,
and taken its share of honors in the games with other schools.

English High School. — The building at the corner of Irving and
Chatham (now known as the Classical High), was occupied in Sep-
tember. 1892. James Jenkins w^as first principal. The building cost
$100,000. and the land $50,000. Barker & .Nourse were the architects.
The building is 117 by 147 feet, with a tower 130 feet in height. The
material is Greenfield brick with brownstone trimming. Mr. Jenkins
was succeeded by Homer P. Lewis in 1896. Mr. Lewis resigned in 1901
to become principal of South High School. He was selected superin-
tendent of schools 1903. an office he has held since that time, and w^as
succeeded by Joseph P. Jackson \\\\o served until 1916. The history of
the English High School is continued under its new name, The High
School of Commerce.

High Schocl of Commerce. — The High School of Commerce is the
largest high school in the city and one of the largest secondary schools
in the state. Under normal conditions about 1,-iOO pupils are accom-
modated. A faculty of between sixty and seventy teachers is main-
tained, and the courses offered are exceedingly varied and numerous.
Every possible pha^e of commercial education with systematic instruc-
tion in all branches of office practice is to be found in the curriculum,
and every modern mechanical device now^ used by progressive business
houses is at the disposal of the classes. The pupil interested in the study
of money and banking finds an opportunity here. Those who are inter-
ested in advertising, journalism, salesmanship, commercial drawing and
designing, and many another branch of work, are afforded ample chances
for the pursuit of their individual needs. At the same time the old-
established branches of high school study are not neglected, and the
scope of the institution is such that practically every type of student
may be accommodated.

The school was opened in the fall of 1914, Mr. Joseph Jackson being
the first principal. Coming from the English High School, he brought
with him most of the pupils and teachers from that school, and the
High School of Commerce was fortunate in having so able an adminis-
trator to engineer its start. Again the institution was most fortunate in
acquiring the services of Calvin H. Andrews as assistant principal, who
came ripe with experience won at the old English High School and the
W.— 1-46.

-J 22 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

South High School of this city, and who bore with him at the start the
good wishes and esteem of hundreds of friends. In addition to this he
was a teacher of wide reputation and an authority upon secondary school
physics. In the summer of 1916 Mr. Jackson retired from service, hon-
ored by the entire community, and j\Ir. Andrews came into office as
principal, with Robert T. Elliott, formerly of the Classical High School,
as assistant principal. The team is a most happy combination, and in an
institution of this size that is a tremendous factor in making for efficiency.
There are numerous flourishing student organizations at the High
School of Commerce. An exceptional orchestra, carefully and success-
fully trained by Miss Alma Morrissette, has already built an enviable
reputation. The old Britomart, or Girls' Literary Society, is active, as
is also the Assembly, or Boys' Debating Society, while the Choral
Club, under Mr. Stickney, does splendid work. The school publishes a
bi-weekly newspaper known as the Mercury. It is run by the classes
in journalism under Miss Grace Buxton, with Mr. Walter Morrill as
faculty business manager. The Blackfriars is the title given to the
school dramatic club which was founded by the class of 1917 with the
help of R. R. Greenwood. The faculty coaches are Mr. Greenwood and
Mrs. Buckley. There is in the school a splendid athletic spirit and the
regular quota of teams may be found. Special mention should be made
perhaps of the girls' basketball teams, for they have worked admirably
and have had marked success. The fine gymnasium wnth its ample
tquipm'int is an incentive to good work in this line. In addition to these
liatters there are numerous organizations of both the boys and girls,
which owe their origins to the war, and these groups are doing a most
useful and patriotic duty and are attempting to support the effort and
sacrifice which have been made by the boys of the school who have
given their services to their country.

The educational purpose of the High School of Commerce is in a
way unique, for it w^as established to meet a very broad demand. When
the agitation for more wide-spread commercial education swept over
the country a decade ago, that impulse in the community led to the
founding of this school, and with that has grown the intent on the part
of those in authority to make it not merely the typical business college,
but a genuine institution of learning as well, where a pupil may learn
not only useful things connected with commercial methods and business
life, but may in addition absorb some of the more cultural phases of
education at the same time, and thereby fit himself for promotion in his
later vocation and find himself capable of maintaining a high position in
the community as an American citizen.

Worcester Evening High School. — The experiment with evening
schools in this city began Dec. 1, 1849, when three schools were opened,
one in Fenwick Hall for both sexes under Addison A. Hunt; one for
girls in the brick school house on the Common, under John C. Newton,

AND ITS PEOPLE 7^?,

and one for boys in the Thomas Street school house. Elementary stud-
ies were taught, but were not very successful. They have continued
out interruption, and since 1881 have taken an important place in the
school system.

In 1881 there were seven evening schools, in 1883, nine; in 1890,
twelve. In 1891 John J, Riordan was made supervisor of the evening
schools. He died in 1900, and was succeeded by Hon. Alfred S. Roe,
who continued in the office until his death in 1917.

The Evening High School was established by Mr. Riordan in the
Washington street building, where the graded school of the evening
school system was located in October, 1893. The first class graduated
in March following. In 1894 the Evening High School was located in
the old Walnut street building, and at the graduation March 22, 1895, Dr.
T. C. Mendenhall, of the W. P. I., delivered an address. Since 1895 the
school has been held in the high school building on Chatham street. A
course of three years was laid out at that time. The graduating exercises
were held at first in the school hall, but in 1908 and since then in Me-
chanics Hall, and they have proved to be events of much public interest.
Each year some eminent educator or distinguished public man has
spoken to the graduates.

The principal of the Evening High School, Daniel F. O'Regan,
graduated from W. P. I. in 1891, and has been a teacher in the evening
schools since then. Other early teachers in the high school were : Dr.
C. W. Whitaker, William I. McLoughlin, Philip Russell, Dr. D. T.
O'Connor and Thomas C. Carrigan. In recent years there have been
about thirty teachers and 800 to 1000 pupils. Besides arithmetic, grammar,
history, civil government, algebra, chemistry and rhetoric, the subjects
originally taught, Latin, German, French, Spanish, civil service, Eng-
lish literature, geometry, typewriting and stenography, bookkeeping,
physics and other subjects have been added. The school ranks high and
is one of the few holding five sessions a week. For the past seventeen
years a four-year course has been maintained and the list of graduates
has constantly increased. There is also a separate and highly suc-
cessful evening school for drawing.

The Latin School for Boys. — A bequest in the will of Isaiah Thomas
furnished the lot for the Latin School for Boys. At a town meeting
Nov. 21, 1831, a committee consisting of Alfred D. Foster, Lewis Bige-
low, Alpheus Merrifield, Frederick W. Paine, William Keith, Isaac Da-
vis and George T. Rice, chosen at a previous meeting, to consider the
provisions of the will, recommended the building of a school house on the
lot at the corner of Summer and Thomas streets, two stories high, 30 by
67 feet, estimating the cost at $2,250. The report was accepted, and
Frederick W. Paine, Otis Cornett and Lewis Barnard appointed a build-
ing committee. In 183-4 Nathan Heard succeeded Mr. Paine, who
resigned. The committee finished its work in 1835. The house was

724

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

built of brick, but was called "old" in 1851, when the present building
took its place. The material in the old building was used in construct-
ing the Pine street school house at the corner of Shrewsbury street and
East Worcester street.

The need of more room at Thomas street was felt as early as 1846,
and during the next five years various committees considered the prob-
lem. Once the town voted $1,200 for changes in the old building, but
the appropriation was not used. The new building was dedicated Sept.
1, 1851. It was built by Horatio N. Tower; seated 380 pupils. Charles
A. Thurber, master of the school for several years before 1840, and El-
bridge Smith was afterward a principal of the school.

Warren Lazell taught the boys' school on Thomas street for eighteen
years, and had previously taught in the New Worcester district. He was
highly commended in the reports of the committee. He came to this city
March 18, 1827, and taught until 1846, when he became secretary of the
school board. He had a book store at 177 Main street, and afterward w^as
in partnership with William Hovey in the manufacture of straw-cutters.
When the business was destroyed by the Merrifield fire in 1854, he went to
New York and was with the firm of Lazell, Marsh & Hunn, druggists. New
York, of w^hich his son was senior partner. He died there Dec. 23, 1845.

George A. Willard had charge of the Third Boys' or Boys' Primary
School, Thomas street, for a short time, resigning in 1840. He was suc-
ceeded by Charles W. Hartwell, who had taught the Apprentices' School
very successfully and previously in Phillips Academy, Andover, and in
East Douglas ; he died in New York City, Dec, 1889. Albion P. Peck
was elected teacher of the Boys' School, June 22, 1835, and stayed until
1839 ; after he left this city he became register of probate of Hampshire
county; was trial justice; well known writer on agricultural subjects;
member of the Northampton school committee; died November 7, 1884,
at Vineland, N. J., where he spent his last years.

Austin G. Fitch taught the Second Boys' School from 1839 to 1844
or 1845 ; acquired a high reputation as a teacher ; had previously bought
a farm at Quinsigamond, later engaged in milling at Springvale. Me. ;
afterward lived in Holliston and Watertown, where he died in July,
1891; he claimed to be the first to introduce music and drawing in the
Worcester schools.

Charles A. Thurber, mentioned above, was a graduate of Brown,
1827, principal of Milford Academy; was principal of the Worcester
Latin Grammar School, Thomas street, until June, 1839 ; became associ-
ated with Ethan Allen in the manufacture of pistols; was county com-
missioner; state senator; trustee of Brown University; lived later in
Norwich, Conn., Brooklyn, N. Y., and Germantown, Pa. James Sulli-
van Russell, of Lowell, who succeeded Mr. Thurber, remained but six
months ; John WVight was the next principal and when he left became
officer in a Lowell mill. Mr. Russell attended school here as a boy and

pUBl\^

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as-^":":'j.ou»»^

MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING,
BOYS' TRADE SCHOOL.

WORCESTER B(J\ S' TRADE SCHOOL.

AND ITS PEOPLE 7^S

taught the Quinsigamond school, 1828-9, later at Hingham and Lexing-
ton ; was a student at Brown afterward ; then a teacher at Arlington and
in the Lowell High School ; after leaving this city he took a course in
the Normal School at Barre, then returned as teacher of mathematics to
the Lowell High School, in which he taught until ISTO, making fifty years
of his life devoted to teaching; in 1840 he wrote Russell's Rational
Arithmetic. George W. Russell of this city, a carriage manufacturer,
was a brother. Caleb B. Metcalf began teaching in Thomas Street
School in April, 1846, and was headmaster until 1856, when he estab-
lished the Highland Military Academy.

The Latin Grammar School came to an end with the administra-
tion of Rodolphus Baker Hubbard, who was master from May, 1843, to
December, 1844 ; he was praised without stint in the committee reports ;
during his term the school was provided with apparatus for the study
of natural philosophy and the beginning of the present era of mechanics
and physical science in the public schools had its beginning. He was a
student of Amherst and Union, a graduate of the former college ; studied
theology and preached in various places ; was principal of the Academy
at Kingston, N. Y., and of Mt. Pleasant Institute, Amherst, several years;
taught at Northampton before coming here ; after resigning here he was
candidate of the Liberty party for Congress, but not elected ; editor of
the Worcester County Gazette, an anti-slavery paper, in 1845 ; presi-
dent of the Worcester County Teachers Association 1845-6 ; chairman of
the committee that arranged the celebration of the emancipation of 800,-
000 slaves in British colonies, Aug. 1, 1845 ; chairman of a convention of
the Liberty party, Oct. 22, 1845 ; represented the town of Sunderland in
the General Court, 1848; was associated with Horace Mann in holding
teachers' institutes; member of the Governor's Council, 1851-52; trus-
tee of Williston Seminary ; from 1855-68 conducted a boys' school at
Amherst; farmer during his last years at Amherst. (See papers by
Henry M. Wheeler, Wor. Soc. Ant. Proc. Vols. XXVHI and XXX).
James H. Newton succeeded Mr. Metcalf and in turn was succeeded in
1864 by Edward L Comins as principal of Thomas Street School.

Boys' Trade School. — The most important new departure of mod-
ern times in public education is the trade school, supplementing the
technical schools. Milton P. Higgins of this city was the chief advo-
cate and originator of these schools, and the virtual founder of the W^or-
cester School. In his biography in this work, some details are given of
his advocacy of this practical and useful extension of the public school
system. He spoke, wrote, planned and influenced other leading men, the
city government and the legislature, until the trade school here was
established. In 1909 the Worcester School was estabHshed. It was one
of the first in the state, and for several years has been the largest in
New England.

The school was authorized by the city council, Dec. 31, 1908, and

726 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

the original building was opened to pupils Feb. 9, 1910. The building is
in Armory Square, one of the finest school structures in the city. Within
four years the school had 400 day pupils attending, and nearly 800 men
in evening classes. The original building was of brick, three stories in
height, 42 by 210 feet with an administration building, now the central
section, 50 by oT feet, four stories' in height. It was planned for 200
pupils. The addition completing the building doubled its capacity a
few years later. The building was equipped with the necessary machines
for iron, steel, wood working, etc. The building committee consisted of
Milton P. Higgins, John M. Buckley, George I. Alden, George F. Brooks,
George N. Jeppson and Levi L. Conant ; the finance committee:
Charles F. Marble, Cornelius J. Carmody and Milton P. Higgins.

The school opened Feb. 1 with about fifty pupils, half in the iron-
working section, half in the wood-working, and for a time twenty-five
more were admitted every three months. Boys over fourteen years are
admitted; the course of study is four years; the sessions are 8 to 12,
and 1 to 5 daily, except Saturday afternoon. The boys are taught not
only how to run a machine, but how to strip it and reassemble it ; not
onlv how to make something, but how to make it perfectly and econom-
ically; not only how to discover the troul)le with his tools when they
work badly, but how to repair them.

When the second section of the building was added the boys of the
school did 90 per cent, of the work of the interior. Inside of five years
it became necessary to double the size of the school. This second wing
was made possible by the gift of $25,000 from the estate of ]\Ir. Higgins
in March, 1912. The 150 boys who contributed their labor to this sec-
tion of the school worked with fine enthusiasm and their work is the
pride of the school and the city. They built stairs, laid floors, put on the
finish of all kinds, installed the electric lights, constructed the running
track, the iron stairs and in fact everything within the building, valued
at more than $15,000.

The new part of the school has a modern and well-equipped gym-
nasium ; a drafting room, lunch room, library, carpentry-room, audi-
torium. A section was given over to the Girls' School for domestic
science and what they learn about cooking at State street, they utilized
here in a practical way in the lunch room. The printing class has quar-
ters here. The school has succeeded beyond the fondest expectation of
its founders ; the boys are taught the various trades, are accepted in the
shops of the city as journeymen and hold their own from the start with
the craftsmen taught in the shops. The classes in machine shop, cabinet
making, pattern making, house carpentry, steam engineering, painting,
electrical work, printing and drafting, have been most popular and use-
ful. The boys have their athletic teams and enter competition with the
other high schools of the city. (See Wor. ]Mag. 1009. p. 5: 1914 9, 249.
Tulloch- p. 161).

AND ITS PEOPLE 727

Much of the machinery has been earned by the work of the stu-
dents. The school finds a market for its product and at the same
time keeps its equipment at the highest standard. There are studies as
well as work-shop computations, formulas, geometry and study of tri-
angles ; commercial arithmetic and geography ; mechanics, hydraulics,
electricity. The boys are taught English, the history of commerce and
invention and civil government. Great attention is paid to drawing, of
course.

Since October, 1910, the school has been open to pupils on the half-
time plan. The regular schedule of the school sends each pupil into
its shops for a full week, then for a week into its school rooms. The
half-time boys work for wages at their trades in the industries of the
city for a week, then take a week of study in the school, thus being
self-supporting. The manufacturers of the city have readily co-operated
in carrying out this plan, but the number of these students has not been
large. The buildings and equipment of the school have been furnished
by the city, including the gift of the Higgins estate, $25,000 from the
labor of pupils and $3,000 in gifts of other citizens. The cost of main-
tenance is divided between city and state. Louis H. Buckley succeeded
Mr. Higgins as president of the board of trustees. Elmer H. Fish has
been director of the school from the beginning.

Trade School for Girls. — As soon as possible after the successful
inauguration of the Trade School for Boys, a similar institution was
established for girls. In September, 1911, the school was opened in this
city, in accordance with a plan submitted by a sub-committee of the
board of the trustees of the Independent Industrial Schools of Worcester,
consisting of Charles F. Marble, Cornelius J. Carmody and William Wat-
tie. The building on State street occupied by the school has since
been bought by the city. The school had at the start To pupils, and the
number has constantly increased. Miss Cleon Murtland was elected
director of the School ; she had been an instructor in the New York
Trade School for Girls for four years.

"While the purpose has been to equip the building for a school in
which trades will be taught, there has been a strong wish to maintain
the home aspect both within and without. We also hope that the girls
may gain in this school, through direct and subtle influence, standards
and motives for higher living which shall give to them a broader hori-
zon of life and nobler ambitions as home-makers, whether their relations
in the home shall be that of daughter, sister, wife or mother."

At the dedication addresses were made by Louis H. Buckley, Miss
Murtland, Dr. Charles A. Prosser, Helen R. Hildreth of Boston, Rev.
Bernard S. Conaty and Hon. James Logan. Miss Murtland's address
was published in the Worcester Magazine, Oct., 1911. She outlined the
plans of work. The principal courses at first taught in the school were
millinery, all kinds of sewing and dress-making; cooking and other

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AND ITS PEOPLE 729

household arts and other trades for women were added. The course of
of study is two years. Enghsh, arithmetic, textile study, civil govern-
ment, industrial history and similar subjects are taught. In its work the
school has been reckoned fully as successful as the Boys' School. The
school has about 200 pupils at present.

In November, 1917, David H. Fanning gave to the city $100,000
for the purpose of building a school house for the Girls' Trade School.
This generous gift will provide a building adequate for many years and
equal in architecture and equipment to the magnificent Boys School.
The Gazette says editorially :

Nearly all of Mr. Fanning's industrial life has been spent in Worcester. He made
his fortune here. His home and other social ties are centered here. And it is here
that he considerately chooses to place of the fruits that his business ability have won
in Worcester. The example cannot fail to be of force in causing other citizens of
means to take a like course toward their home city. The Fanning gift is one that well
rounds out a life of eminent usefulness and is a benefaction that is to be enjoyed by
the people of the present who know and are known by the donor as well as by pos-
terity.

Note. — The view of the High. Schools on page T12 were made prior
to 1914, in which year the English High School (right hand view) became
the Classical High School, and the left hand view (Classical High
School) became the Commercial High School.

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CHAPTER XLVI

Academies — Business Schools — Domestic Science Schools — Private

Schools

Worcester Academy. — There were three purposes in the minds of
the founders of the Worcester County Manual Training School (the Wor-
cester Academy since 184T), first, to have an academy or preparatory
school governed by officers of the Baptist denomination ; second, a school
for manual training ; third, an academy that would give the poor boy
an opportunity for liberal education. Most of the founders were Bap-
tists. They raised $5,000 in 183-1, and formed a corporation of which
Isaac Davis was president, Otis Corbett, secretary, Ichabod Washburn,
treasurer, and Daniel Goddard, trustees. They stated their purpose "to
found a school whose advantages for elementary instruction should be of
the first order; under good moral and decidedly religious influence;
where every possible advantage should be afforded for productive manual
labor; so that the instruction, while good, should not be expensive."
In other words, the students could pay for their education by working
for the school.

A farm of 60 acres on what is now Main street, extending from near
Lagrange street to Hammond street, w4th a frontage of 1,100 feet was
bought. There were no old buildings and no highway crossed the prop-
erty. The first building, the chapel, and the Mansion House where the
steward and students lived, stood on the ridge on what is now Oread
street. In 1848 Academy Hall was built, only to be demolished six
years later, the material being used to build tenement houses, known as
"brick city" on Canterbury street.

The students who needed the money received eight cents an hour for
labor on the farm, if they had arrived "at years of manhood," but less
in accordance with their age and strength. The price for board was
$1.50 a week; if tea and coffee were not used $1.30. The simplicity and
frugality of life in the academy is shown by the following extract from
C. C. Baldwin's diary, March IT, 1835:

Eden Augustin Baldwin, my nephew, came from Templeton today, having been sent
here by his grandfather, with the request that I would put him to the Baptist School
in this town or send him to Leicester Academy, as I might think most for his advan-
tage. I concluded to send him to Leicester, though I was inclined to put him to the
first named, and should have done so had it not been for their regulations about
board. No tea, coffee or milk are given to the pupils, who board in the institution. In
my judgment this is a bad arrangement. If a boy is not well treated at school he will
hardly know what he has a right to expect when he becomes a man. We should learn
children their rights if we would have them respected when they become men.

732 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The late Nathaniel Paine is authority for the statement that the boys
who worked sat at different tables from those who paid their tuition in
cash, but the only difference in food was that the latter had doughnuts
and the former had not.

The first principal was Rev. Silas Bailey, who opened the school with
20 pupils. Four years later the school had 135 pupils, 18 of whom were
from this city. In 1838-40 Prof. S. S. Green was principal ; in 1840 Nel-
son Wheeler succeeded him. Lack of funds caused the temporary clos-
ing of the school in 1844. About a year later a sum of $6,000 was raised
and another "fund of $5,000 for tuition of pious, indigent young men of
the Baptist denomination." The land south of Southbridge street was
sold at this time, including the present sites of the gas-works and the
Bowler brewery ; in 1845 the tract between the Norwich & Worcester
railroad and Southbridge street was sold, bringing more funds to the
depleted treasury. In 1852 the trustees leased the real estate to Eli
Thayer, who had graduated from the school and later at Brown in 1845,
and immediately became a teacher in the school and was afterward its
principal. In 1848-9 he had founded the Oread Institute, and there he
offered the first opportunity for collegiate education to young women
of this country. Under the lease Mr. Thayer conducted the academy
until 1854, when he bought the building of the school corporation.

The school was then moved to the old building of the American An-
tiquarian Society, Summer street, corner of Belmont, where it had a pre-
carious existence for fifteen years. In 186T the trustees were about to
transfer the assets of the school to the Newton Theological Seminary,
believing that the public high schools filled all the essential purposes for
which the academy had been founded, but this action was opposed, and
the petition for authority to make the transfer was accordingly refused
by the General Court.

Isaac Davis in 18G9 b}- private purchase acquired the property on
Union Hill, (used during the war by the government and known as the
Dale Hospital), buying of the defunct Ladies' Collegiate Institute. Mr.
Davis took the assets of the academy and contributed the balance neces-
sary. In the main building on the new site. Dr. Calvin Newton had
established in 1845 a Botanico-]\Iedical College, incorporated in 1849 as
the Worcester Medical College. In 18G2 in Aesculapian Hall (later the
chapel) ten graduates including one woman received their degrees of
M. D. The Ladies' Collegiate Institute, founded also by the Baptists,
acquired the property after Dr. Newton died in 1853, bought a large
tract of land and set about to make a seminary like that of Mt. Holyoke.
The wings of the main building were added before the institute failed.
An account of the Dale Hospital is given in the history of the Civil
War in this work. Fourteen wooden barracks, each 25 by 160 feet, pro-
vided for 60 beds each ; but it was in use only from Feb. 22 to Dec, 1865,
when the temporary buildings were sold and removed, excepting the

AND ITS PEOPLE 733

central barrack, which was used by the academy for a gymnasium until
1890.

The school continued as a second-rate co-educational academy until
1880. The foregoing facts are taken from an article by Dr. George O.
Ward (Won Acad. Bulletin, V. No. 4).

To Isaac Davis and Dr. A. P. Marble, principal for two years at
the time the trustees decided to discontinue the academy, credit must
be given for saving the school and preserving for the institution a past
filled with interesting history. Dr. Marble was afterward superintendent
of the Worcester public schools and later assistant superintendent of the
schools of New York City.

Through thick and thin, the school stuck to its original purposes;
the high moral and religious ideals of the academy have never been low-
ered, and notwithstanding all the vicissitudes it has had almost from the
beginning, a reputation for thorough training, scholarship and system.
Every college welcomes graduates from Worcester Academy on account
of their excellent preparation. Among its graduates is a long list of dis-
tinguished men.

When the academy was moved to Union Hill and again became a
boarding school. Prof. William C. Poland, later of Brown University, was
principal. He was succeeded by Prof. Nathan Leavenworth, who died in
1882. Since that time Dr. Daniel W. Abercrombie, has been principal.
(See biog.). The academy owes its high standing to the energy, cour-
age, determination and executive ability of its head. He built well. The
history of the school is a biography of the principal. He secured endow-
ments and gifts of all kinds and erected building after building to pro-
vide for the constantly increasing number of students and to give the
institution all the advantages of a modern preparatory school. He
stirred the loyalty of former students and graduates and they responded
to every call. The spirit of Worcester Academy was developed until it is
become a model for similar institutions. During his adminstration the
number of students has grown from about 50 to more than 300.

To the one old administration building, the checkered history of
which has been told, a group of substantial fireproof buildings has been
added one after another. Davis Hall, the first dormitory built, was
named in honor of the first president of the board of trustees, who for 39
years filled that office. Walker Hall, erected in 1889, was named for
Hon. Joseph H. Walker, LL.D., the second president, from 1873 until he
died. (See biog.). It contains the office, the chapel, recitation rooms,
the Nelson Wheeler Library. Adams Hall is a model dining hall, erected
in 1892. Dexter Hall, named for one of the most generous benefactors
of the academy, William H. Dexter, was built in 1892. The Kingsley
Laboratories, named in honor of a distinguished benefactor, Hon. Ches-
ter W. Kingsley of Cambridge, was built in 1897-8 at a cost of $90,000
and equipped with modern apparatus. It contains a group of seven

734 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

laboratories for different purposes, and rooms for manual training and
mechanical drawing. Since acquiring this building the academy has
been able to offer exceptional opportunities for fitting students for tech-
nical schools as well as college. It is significant that more academy men
go to the W. P. I. than any other college. During the present admin-
istration the faculty has grown from five to nineteen, each of whom is a
specialist in his own department.

The new gymnasium of the academy, erected in 1915 at a cost of
about $100,000, at the corner of Penn avenue and Dorchester street,
designed by Parker & Stearns of Boston, is one of the best arranged and
most fully equipped buildings of its kind of any possessed by prepara-
tory schools, public or private, in this country. The exterior is particu-
larly attractive. It stands on the old athletic field and completes the
third side of the quadrangle of buildings. The swimming pool is 28-T5,
of the latest model. The main room of the gymnasium is 58 by 100 feet
and is well fitted for basket ball. Exertise in the gymnasium is com-
pulsory. The Academy athletic teams have received every encourage-
ment from the trustees and faculty. The new Gaskill field, named in
honor of Judge Francis A. Gaskill, third president of the board of trus-
tees, is the best of its kind in New England. It contains two base ball
fields, football gridiron, a quarter-mile track with 220 yards straightaway
track, three tennis courts, a field house of cement. The field cost $T0,-
000 and contains ten acres.

The academy is the oldest of the higher institutions of learning in
the city ; it stands fourth among the academies of the country in num-
ber of students.

Oread Institute. — The Oread Collegiate Institute was important as
an institution of learning because it was a pioneer among colleges for
women ; it was important as an institution of the city because of the
large number of girls of this city educated there. From beginning to
end it was a center of interest. The Oread Castle, which still stands
unchanged in its exterior, was the home of the institute and built for the
purpose by Eli Thayer. Goat Hill, as the site was known, was in the
suburbs when Mr. Thayer bought it in 1845. Subsequently he added a
field of ten acres including the present site of Piedmont Church. He
designed the building which followed the lines of a medieval castle and
it was built partly of native stone. It was to have an inner court ITO
feet square. Circular towers 50 feet in diameter and four stories in
height were to be placed at the four corners. The building w^as designed
for 600 students, more than were at that time students in any American
college. The north and south towers and connecting hall were com-
pleted in 1852, the whole having a frontage of 250 feet, but the rest
of the structure was never built.

The Institute was opened May 14, 1849. At that time Oberlin was
the only college open to women, and no college exclusively for women

AND ITS PEOPLE

735

had been established. In 1854 there were a dozen teachers and the
building was full of boarding students. As the history and its roster of
students and graduates shows, the school attracted pupils from the best
known families of the cities. There were three departments, primary,
academic and collegiate. The college course was modeled after that of
Brown University. Instruction was also given in music, drawing, paint-
ing and other branches considered necessary for the education of girls at
that time. Rather ahead of the times also was the regular prescribed
gymnastic exercises "as means to health and to develop symmetry of
form and grace of carriage." Students were expected to walk daily out
of doors. A riding ampitheatre was built soon after the school was
opened.

OREAD INSTITUTE.

Mr. Thayer asked no help of others in his experiment. He said :
"We sell education at cost. If our merchandise is not worth our price
or if we have brought wares to the market for which there is no demand,
we ask no one to share our loss. Oread Castle was founded in good faith
under the honest conviction that it might serve the country and the
world by advancing in some degree the able cause to which it is
devoted." The Oread continued for a period of thirty-two years, and
was closed on account of the failure of the health of John Alden Thayer,
son of the founder and at that time principal.

7Z^

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

In 1910 the Oread Collegiate Institute Association gave $3,000 to
Brown University for the "Eli Thayer Scholarship of the Oread." This
association has maintained an active existence to the present time. A
history containing portraits and illustrations with biographies of former
pupils was published in 1881 ; edited by Martha, Burt Wright and Anna
M. Bancroft. A supplement was published in 1915.

Henry D. Perky, who afterward bought the Oread and converted
into a domestic science school, described elsewhere, continued until 1901:.
For a number of years the property has been used for a riding school. It
is described as a large and perfectly appointed riding academy, with an
excellent indoor tanbark ring, where expert instruction in horsemanship
is given to men and women and children by classes or private lessons.
Dr. W. J. Hennessey is president; Harry W. Marsh, treasurer.

Highland Military Academy. — For more than fifty years the High-
land Military Academy, a preparatory school, took rank among the best
in the country. It was founded by Caleb B. Metcalf and owned by him
and his estate from the beginning to the end. He had been a principal
of the Thomas Street Latin School.

HioHLAXl^ MILITARY ACADEMY IN i860,
As it was when Willie Grout was a student there.

The school was located on Salisbury street on the plateau at the top
of the hill. It began business Oct. 5, 1856, with accommodations for six-
teen boarding and twenty day pupils. Many prominent men of this city
were students there in their youth. The school was primarily to pre-
pare students for college, but in the case of many it was their finishing
school. The military drill was added in 1858, and no less than fifty out
of 150 boys who drilled here before 18G3 served in the Civil War that
came soon after the school was established. Among these were Wil-

AND ITS PEOPLE 737

Ham and Frank Bacon, Darius Starr, George W. Wellington, Lewis M.
Brooks, Lt. Col. William N. Green and W'illie Grout, who lost their
lives in the service ; Henry M. Bragg, Sheriff R. H. Chamberlain, Maj.
E. T. Raymond, Capt. Charles H. Pinkham, William H. Hobbs and Capt.
Levi Lincoln. By 18G3 the school had 87 students, or Cadets as they
were called. Col. John M. Goodhue was military instructor, a captain
in the Civil War; Col. E. B. Glasgow and Maj. L. G. White were among
his' successors. Until 1868 Mr. Metcalf himself was among the instruc-
tors, but afterward he devoted all his time to administrative duties. He
retired from active management in 1888, but retained the title of super-
intendent emeritus until his death. He lived for two years at 36 Lin-
coln street, where his wife, Roxanna C. (Barnes) Metcalf, a daughter of
A. S. Barnes, the publisher, died March 7, 1890. Mr. Metcalf died July
31, 1891, at the summer home of his daughter, Mrs. McElrath, at Sea-
bright, N. J. He served on the Worcester school committee from 1869
to 1881 inclusive. George L. Clark was business manager of the school
through its entire existence.

Joseph Alden Shaw who succeeded Mr. Metcalf had long been asso-
ciated with him. (See biography). He continued until the property
was sold for residential purposes in 1912 and the school discontinued.
Most of the buildings were immediately torn. down. Through its fifty-
six years it had been a prosperous and successful institution, a source
of pride to the city. The familiar gray uniforms of the cadets were
decidedly missed when the school ceased to exist.

Business Schools. — For half a century or more, the business schools
of this city have attracted pupils not only from W'orcester but from all
the towns of the county and more distant points. Howe's Business Col-
lege had for its students a generation ago many men since distinguished
in business and public life. W. H. Eaton had 'a Commercial Boarding
School established in 1851, and continued about ten years. He adver-
tised in 185T. Becker's Business College, 98 Front street, is one of
the oldest business schools of this section and has had uniformly high
reputation. L. G. Fairchild has an office school at 619 State Mutual
building. His school, formerly known as Phoenix Institute, was for
several years in the Graphic Arts building. His graduates have been in
great demand for private secretaries and office work.

The largest school of this class is the Worcester Business Institute,
of which C. B. Post is proprietor and principal. The school has facilities
second to none. It trains its pupils thoroughly and places them in posi-
tions as stenographers, book-keepers and other office work and serves
the employers of the city in the selection of those properly qualified for
the positions to which they are recommended. The school was estab-
lished in 1899 by Mr. Post (see biog.). It has been located from the
beginning at 476 Main street.
W.— 1-47-

738 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The Massachusetts School of Engineering, for the education of fire-
men, engineers and electricians, Avas established in 1905, by Thomas
F. Myers. (See biog.). It is located at 26 Austin street.

Female High School. — Dr. John Park established the Female High
School here in 1831. He had previously been at the head of a female
academy in Boston. It was a sort of finishing school, patronized by the
leading famiHes. Under date of April 13, 1832, C. C. Baldwin wrote
(diary, p. 173) : "In the evening I attended a party at His Excellency
Gov. Lincoln's. It was given for the purpose of introducing the senior
class of misses in the Female High School into company. They were
all over 15. One party of the same kind was given Avhile I was at Tem-
pleton a fortnight ago, and they are to be given every other week by dif-
ferent families during the summer. The number of young ladies present
from the school might be about 15, many of whom were pretty and
interesting. Some of them are natives of \\'orcester, but a greater part
from out of town. We were employed about two hours in dancing,
though we had no music but from a piano, which was played upon by
the lady of Dr. John Park, who moved to Worcester from Boston, where
for many years he was at the head of a female academy, in 1831. April
14, 1832. This morning I had a visit from the lady of Rejoice Newton,
Esq., accompanied by 2T young misses, most of whom were from the
Female High School. They remained in the (Antiquarian) Hall an hour
and a half. They left their names."

The Bancroft School. — This, a high-grade preparatory institution,
was established by Frank H. Robson, who was its principal from the
beginning until 1914. In 1902 it was incorporated and the present
building erected at 111 Elm street. The school provides classes from
kindergarten to college entrance. Since 1913 girls only have been admit-
ted to the high school department, but both boys and girls to the lower
grades. The school has grown until it is the largest private day school
in New England outside of Boston. There are thirteen teachers.

The Salisbury Mansion School was advertised in the Aegis March
12, 1855, by Rev. N. T. Bent, principal. The teachers were Rev. J. \'.
Beane, mathematics; Miss E. S. Bacon, music; Mile. Louise Forestere,
French and German.

Worcester Domestic Science School. — For a number of years Henry
D. Perky conducted a model domestic science school in the old Oread
Castle. It was established in 1898 and leaped into popularity at once.
He founded a scholarship for each state in the union, and students
came hither from all parts of the country. The school opened in Jan-
uary, 1899, with 40 young ladies and the number grew rapidly. The
school seemed to take a position of great importance as one of the pio-
neers in this field. But it was a personal enterprise, and collapsed at
the time of the founder's death. Its existence of seven years demon-
strated the need and value of a school of domestic science and home arts.

AND ITS PEOPLE 739

Mr. Perky had a genius for the art of pubHcity, as he demonstrated in
various other enterprises. He made the idea of domestic science schools
attractive to the young women of the country. Had he chosen to devote
his whole energy to the school, there can be no doubt that this city would
now be the home of an institution rivalling Simmons College of Boston.

The work he began did not cease entirely, however. One of the
teachers, Mrs. Frank M. Wethered, opened a school at her residence. Her
school also became widely known and attracted students from dis-
tant points as well as from the city and vicinity. She added to the facil-
ities from year to year and the school occupied several buildings on Insti-
tute road and Dean street, all well equipped for their purposes. The
graduates have been placed in important positions in this country, Cuba
and Canada. A two-year course is given, training students for teach-
ing the subject in public schools, trade schools, and for institutional and
playgrounds supervision. The Worcester Domestic Science School
ranks as one of the most important private educational institutions of
the city.

Private Schools. — Two private schools intimately associated with
the public school system and at times taking the place of the public Latin
School here, have been described under the heading of public schools.
Infants' schools and Dames' schools were very common in the early
part of the nineteenth century.

In 1828 Madam Collins kept an infants' school in part of the old
meeting house on School street. About the same time there was a pri-
vate school kept in the court house. Mrs. Jonathan (Sykes) Ward had
a school in the thirties in her house near Jo Bill road on Salisbury street.
Miss Sarah Ward, daughter of Artemas, kept a school on Lincoln street.
Mrs. William Bickford rented a room in the rear of a new brick house.
Mrs. Heywood, mother of Rev. John, had a little school opposite the
house of Dr. B. F. Heywood, ]\Iain street. Miss Sarah C. Ward had a
school in the post office building. Miss Lucretia Bancroft used a rear
room in the house of her father. Rev. Aaron, for her school. Miss Mar-
tha Stearns opened a school in the wooden building adjoining the Gran-
ite block. Miss Hannah Stearns, sister of Martha, had a school for girls
on Main street, not far from the Salisbury block. John Wright and his
wife had a school room in the post-office building. Main street, and later
in his own house at the north end of Salisbury block. It was called "A
Female Academy." Robert Phipps came here in 1836 and opened a
school in the Butman block, where he had two rooms on the third floor.
He had a French teacher, a gymnasium, taught drawing, and offered
other educational novelties, but like all those mentioned, his school had
a short and doubtless unprofitable life. Thomas Payson opened a pri-
vate school under the name of Seminary for Young Ladies in the spring
of 1819 ; its existence was brief. Hannah Spofford opened a female sem-
inary here in May, 1804. The tuition was $2 to $4 a quarter-year,

740 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

according to the courses. The school was not a success. Mrs. Nugent
opened an academy for girls in 1805. These academies taught sewing,
reading, embroidery, writing, arithmetic, grammar, rhetoric, painting in
water colors, drawing, geography, music, and some other subjects,
according to their advertisements.

In 1823-4 Rev. Benjamin F. Farnsworth had an academy. A cor-
poration was formed and a building purchased for the Worcester Fe-
male Academy in 1832 and was kept by Mrs. A. M. Wells one year and
by John Wright for a short time afterward. It failed and the building
was sold.

After the Phipps School closed about 1840 the Misses Stearns
opened another school in Salisbury block and kept boarding pupils as
well as day scholars. This school continued until the early fifties, Han-
nah continuing alone after her sister married and moved to Salem.
Hannah had been a governess in the Randolph family in Virginia. Rev.
Edward Everett Hale was a boarder in the Stearns home after the
school was given up. Hannah moved finally to Exeter, N. H., and died
there.

The school sessions in the thirties were usually from nine to twelve
and two to five, with half-hour recesses during each session. The vaca-
tions were two weeks in summer and two in winter. The young girls
were not sent to the public schools as a rule and small boys were sent
to the Dames' schools with the girls, if the family purses warranted the
expense. (See Wor. Soc. Ant. Proc. p. 246, 1903).

CHAPTER XL VI I

Colleges and Institutes — Worcester Polytechnic Institute — College of the

Holy Cross — Clark University — State Normal School —

Assumption College

Worcester Polytechnic Institute. — Three of the four men who may
be called the founders of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute were prom-
inent citizens of this city: Ichabod Washburn, Stephen Salisbury (2d),
and David Whitcomb, through whose advice and administration of the
gift of John Boynton, his former partner, the original fund of $100,000
was applied to the purposes of this institution. Fortunate was it that
other men had kindred purposes in view at the same time. Fortunate too
were the founders in securing men such as Milton P. Higgins and Seth
Sweetser to carry into effect their purposes. The original name was the
Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science. In 1887 it was
changed to the present title.

John Boynton's letter of gift was dated May 1, 1865. The Institute
opened in 1868, with scope and aims as outlined by its first president,
Charles O. Thompson, a graduate of Dartmouth, a chemist of distinc-
tion, who had spent five years abroad studying technical schools. The
course at first was three years, but was soon extended to four. Mr.
Thompson's ideals were high and he made the standards to correspond
and fought to maintain them. That they have never been lowered is the
chief reason for the success of the school.

The second principal. Homer T. Fuller, Ph.D., began his administra-
tion in 1883, and with the aid of an able board of trustees and a faculty
of unusual attainments and talents, he extended the usefulness and
achievements of the school rapidly. New buildings were erected ; addi-
tional endowments received.

Dr. T. C. Mendenhall, the third president, was in charge from 1894
to 1901, and the work of broadening the scope of the Institute, of
strengthening it financially, of developing it in various lines, was car-
ried forward. Every year brought additional prestige; every alumnus
became a bulwark of strength, as he demonstrated his value in the world
of business or industry. Dr. Edmund A. Engler, the next president
served from 1901 to 1911.

The growth and reputation of the Institute has never receded, and
never greater than during the administration of the present president,
Prof. Ira N. Hollis, who came from a chair in Harvard University, where
his reputation had already been established.

The Institute has 53 acres of land, including the new athletic field.
The buildings are located on an eminence on Salisbury street. Boynton

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AND ITS PEOPLE 743

Hall, a veritable landmark on the crown of the hill, built of stone from
Worcester quarries, has always been the administration building; the
home of the library of general reference, of the department of engineer-
ing and various recitation rooms. One by one the other departments
have moved to buildings of their own.

The Washburn shops, the gift of Ichabod Washburn, gave distinc-
tive character to the school from the beginning. His letter offering
them was dated March 6, 1866, and he not only erected the buildings
soon afterward, but gave an endowment of $50,000. In these shops the
students are employed in commercial work, making patterns, doing
machine work, working in the forge and foundry. It was the first and
is yet the best shop operated by a technical school of the country. The
present foundry was erected in 1902 and other extensive alterations and
additions have been made from time to time in the original Washburn
shops. The shops have a substantial business in manufacturing machine
tools, having in addition to the students a force of skilled workmen.

The chemical and physical laboratories in a building named for
Stephen Salisbury, one of the largest benefactors from the beginning
until his death, and for his son, Stephen (3d), who was equally inter-
ested and generous in supporting the school, is a four story fireproof
building.

In the three-story building occupied by the department of mechan-
ical engineering, is the laboratory for classes in hydraulics, testing
metals and materials, gas engineering, and the general laboratory for
research and experiment. The building has rooms for mechanical draw-
ing, machine design, library, besides offices and recitation rooms. The
electrical engineering department has one of the finest buildings devoted
solely to its use of any technical school or college, erected at a cost of
$350,000. It is 200 feet in length and including its galleries has floor-
space of 20,000 square feet. Other buildings are the non-magnetic labo-
ratory, the power plant which serves as a laboratory as well as furnish-
ing the heat, light and power for all the buildings : New^ton Hall, a dor-
mitory; the hydraulic laboratory at Chaffinsville, where the school owns
a water privilege. Each department has a special reference library in
addition to that in Boynton Hall.

The Institute in recent years has offered these four distinct courses
of study — mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineer-
ing, and chemistry and general science. The first degree is B. S., and to
graduates after prescribed study, the degrees of M. S., M. E., E. E., C. E.
and D.Sc. are granted. About two thousand students have received
degrees, and perhaps three times that nvimber have been students here
for a time.

The Young Men's Christian Association has a branch at the "Tech."
An Athletic Association has charge of the business of all the football,
baseball, track and other teams. Its officers are elected by the students

744 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

and they co-operate with an advisory board composed of members of
the faculty and alumni. There are branches of the student members of
the American Society of Mechanical Engineering and the American
Society of Electrical Engineering, each holding regular meetings at
which addresses are given by students, instructors, engineers of distinc-
tion and specialists. The Greek Letter fraternities having chapters
here are: The Phi Gamma Delta. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Alpha Tau
Omega, Delta Tau, Phi Kgippa Pei. Lamda Chi and Theta Chi, each of
which maintains a club house. The students have published a news-
paper for many years. In recent years it has been entitled the Tech
News, and while giving all reports of current events and all the mat-
ters of interest relating to the school it has been especially active in
promoting athletics and aiding the work of the Athletic Association.
Alumni Associations have been formed in Worcester, Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Washington. Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, San Francisco,
and elsewhere where graduates have located in sufficient numbers.

"T^ch" received gold medals for its exhibits at the Pan-American
Exposition at Buffalo; the Interstate and West Indian Exposition at
Charlestown, S. C.,' in 1902 and at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at
St. Louis in 1903.

In recent years the alumni of the Institute have begun to repay
their debt to their alma mater. .In 19U the magnificent athletic field on
Park avenue, providing unsurpassed grounds for baseball, football, track
games and other sports, was completed at a cost of $100,000. Many of
the gifts for this fund were large, but the school takes pride in the fact
that almost without exception the alumni responded to the call and con-
tributed according to their means.

The building itself is like the Institute, thoroughly up-to-date. The
swimming pool is one of the chief attractions. The meeting rooms for
the use of the student fill a long felt need of the school.

Two vears after the field was dedicated, the present gymnasium
w^as finished. It was dedicated with appropriate ceremony at Com-
mencement, 1916. The principal speakers were Rear Admiral Austin M.
Knight, U. S. N., President Ira X. Hollis, Lieut. Gov. Calvin Coolidge,
J. C. Miller ('86); Edwin H. Brown ('98); Z. A. Gibson ('91) of the
Central Building Company: Prof. A. W. French: Prof. P. R. Carpenter;
Vice-president A. C. Comins of the Alumni Association, '93 : Dr. Homer
Gage of the trustees.

Among the former professors of the Institute deserving special men-
tion are : George I. Alden, Levi L. Conant, U. Waldo Cutler, Thomas E.
Eaton, George E. Gladwin, Milton P. Higgins, F. R. Jones, Alonzo S.
Kimball, Albert Kingsbury, L. P. Kinnicutt, Orie W. Long, William
McDonald, John H. Nelson, Sidney A. Reeve. George I. Rockwood,
John E. Sinclair, Edward P. Smith, Charles O. Thompson and George
H. White.

■^^l^v^^' YORK

I »«-.-fJl L£NO^ ^^*-i

AND ITS PEOPLE 745

College of the Holy Cross. — llie College of the Holy Cross, founded
in 1843 by Rt. Rev. Joseph Benedict Fenwick, second Bishop of Boston,
is the oldest Catholic College in New England.

The most cherished wish of the bishop was to establish such an insti-
tution in his diocese. He was aided greatly at the start by the work of
Rev. James Fitton, the first priest of this section, who had erected on
the present site of the college on old Pakachoag Hill, "the hill of pleas-
ant springs," the Seminary of Mount St. James. This building with
about 60 acres of land, Father Fitton deeded to the bishop in 1842.
The location for a college was ideal. From the top of this hill there
is a magnificent view in every direction. The city itself stretches to the
northward. Beyond looms Mt. Wachusett in the background of cluster-
ing hills. And since the building of the college it has been a landmark
of the first order and beauty, visible from every point of vantage for
many miles.

The first classes were organized in the Seminary of Mount St. James,
Nov. 2, 1843. The bishop called to his aid the priests of Georgetown
College, Washington, D. C, of the Society of Jesus, and they took charge
of the instruction. Rev. Thomas F. Mulledy, S. J., was the first presi-
dent. The cornerstone of the main college building was laid June 21,
1843, and it was occupied Jan. 13. 1844. It was used for all the college
purposes, recitations, ofifice and dormitory. The first annual exhibition
July 29, 1844, was a great occasion among the Catholics of New England.
When Bishop Fenwick died, Aug. 10, 1846, with his great work just
under way, he was buried at his own request in the college cemetery. A
few days before he died he gave to the Fathers of the Society of Jesus,
then in charge, the legal title to the property, and they have conducted
it since then.

The main building was burned, July 14, 1852, and the disaster
threatened at first to end the .existence of the college. Rt. Rev. John B.
Fitzpatrick, then bishop, determined that it should survive, and funds
were raised and the construction of a larger and better structure was
begun. A class of students who had entered in 1843 and 1844 had
advanced to philosophy, as the senior year was called, and were ready to
graduate in 1849. The college then asked the State for a charter, which
was not granted, and it was not until after the Civil War had eliminated
sectarian prejudice at Beacon Hill that the charter was granted by the
General Court March 24, 1865. While the lack of state authority pre-
vented the granting of degrees earned by the students, Georgetown Uni-
versity granted the degrees to Holy Cross students until the act of
incorporation was passed The charter gave the college the right to con-
fer all except medical degrees. At Commencement in 1868, Gov. Bullock
of this city, speaking for the Commonwealth, took occasion to praise the
patience of the fi lends of the college during the period of waiting for the
chrater — "Patience which under the circumstances he should hardly

746 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

have dared to expect from many Christian denominations." While gov-
ernor he attended three commencements here.

During the war the college became dear not only to Catholics but
to many non-Catholics of New England. Gov. Andrew visited it in
1862 and presided at Commencement, speaking highly of the college and
showing his friendship then and afterward in various ways.

The college has erected new buildings from time to time, as
required by its growth. In 1875 the east wing of the main building was
raised and extended. This wing, the only part of the old building not
destroyed in 1852, gave place in time to a structure 112 feet in length
with an easterly frontage of 90 feet. On the first and second floors are
the refectories ; on the upper floor the chapel. Adjoining this wing
on the southeast corner is the infirmary. A later structure known as the
O'Kane Building was completed in 1895, and formally opened in Sep-
tember of that year; it contains the gymnasium, 50 by 139 feet, one of
the largest and best in New England. On the third floor is Fenwick
Hall, an auditorium for public meetings, lectures, debates, student assem-
blies, etc. Alumni Hall, a dormitory with rooms for 200 students, was
completed in the fall of 1905.

An important addition to the college equipment was the completion
of Fitton Field. This athletic field is superbly located, lacking in noth-
ing that makes for a place for baseball, football, track athletics and other
sports. Since it has been in use its value has been demonstrated not
only in the improvement in athletics generally but in the vast increase
of attendance at games and in the public support of the college teams in
the city of Worcester.

Beaven Hall, the latest building, was erected in 1912. The corner-
stone was laid with elaborate ceremony May 21 and 22 of that year,
during a special reception in honor of the Bishops who were graduates
of the institution — of whom there were thirteen — Bishops Healy, Mc-
Mahon, Baltes, Bradley, Michaud, Delaney and Gravel ; Rt. Rev. Thomas
D. Beaven, D. D., '70, of Springfield; Rt. Rev. Mathew Har-
kins, D. D., '64, Providence, R. I.; Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Conaty, D.
D., '69, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Rt. Rev. Michael J. Hoban, D. D., 'T4, of
Scranton, Pa. ; Rt. Rev. Louis S. Walsh, D. D., '78, of Portland, Me. ; Rt.
Rev. Joseph J. Rice, D. D., '91, of Burlington, Vt. Beaven Hall, the new
administration building, is a substantial and spacious structure, of artis-
tic design and proportions.

The system of education is the same as that of all the colleges of the
Society of Jesus, guided by the principles laid down in the famous
Ratio Studiorum, elaborated by centuries of experience. The college
adheres to a classical education and announces that instead of abolish-
ing prescribed studies and enlarging the elective plan, it advocates a
wise, deliberate and prudent selection by men whose profession is edu-
cation, and not an unwise, sudden and rash choice by inexperienced

AND ITS PEOPLE 7A7

youths just entering on the process of education. "It is not a system of
ever-changing theory and doubtful experiment, but one on which have
been built the characters of the world's best scholars and statesmen for
centuries. It meets the demand for modern improvement by wise
adaptation and readjustment. The natural sciences and modern
languages are by no means overlooked or neglected in this system, but
the ancient languages and their literature are still retained as pre-
scribed studies and with' mathematics and philosophy, form the essential
trinity of courses, which Prof. Ladd of Yale considers absolutely neces-
sary for a truly liberal education.''

The college possesses an excellent library. That as well as every
other department has grown rapidly in recent years. The college has
given degrees to more than a thousand students. At the present time
the alumni are engaged in raising a large endowment fund, and a large
sum has already been pledged.

The past presidents of the college have been : Rev. Thomas Mul-
ledy, S. J., '43-'45; Rev. James Ryder, S. J., '45-'48; Rev. John Early,
S. J., '48-'51; Rev. Anthony F. Ciampi, S. J., '51-'54; Rev. Peter J. Blen-
kinsop, S. J., '54-'5? ; Rev. Anthony F. Ciampi, S. J., '57-'61; Rev. James
Clark, S. J., '61-'67; Rev. Robert W. Brady, S. J., '67, six months; Rev.
Anthony F. Ciampi, S. J., '67-'73 ; Rev. Joseph B. O'Hagan, S. J., '73-'79 ;
Rev. Edw. D. Boone, S. J., '79-'83 ; Rev. Robert W. Brady, S. J., '83-'87 ;
Rev. 'Samuel Cahill, S. J., '87-'89 ; Rev. Michael A. O'Kane, S. J., '89-
'93 ; Rev. Edw. A. McGurk, S. J., '93-'95 ; Rev. John T. Lehy, S. J., '95-
1901 ; Rev. Joseph F. Hanselman, S. J., 1901-06 ; Rev. Thomas E. Murphy,
S. J., 1906-11; Rev. Joseph N. Dinand, S. J., 1911 — .

Clark University. — Clark University was founded by Jonas G. Clark,
and opened in 1889. Dr. Granville Stanley Hall, the first president, is
still at the head of the institution. The original board of trustees,
selected by Mr. Clark, consisted of Gen. Charles Devens, Stephen Salis-
bury (3d), Hon. George Frisbie Hoar, Hon. William W. Rice, Dr. Joseph
Sargent, Hon. John D. Washburn, Frank P. Goulding and George Swan,
all of whom have passed away. The charter was granted by the legis-
lature May 4, 1887.

The land for the University, a tract of eight acres, 400 by 800 feet,
had been acquired by Mr. Clark on Main street, a mile and a half from
City Hall. The cornerstone of the main building was laid with appro-
priate ceremony, Oct. 22, 1887. Gen. Devens presided and made an
address (see Worcester Past and Present, p. 99a). Addresses were also
made by Hon. John D. Washburn, Senator Hoar, Rev. D. O. Mears and
Rev. Daniel Merriman. Mr. and Mrs. Clark handled the first trowel of
cement used.

The trustees in a letter to Mr. Clark on May 5, 1887, described his
benefaction as "the largest single charitable gift ever made by a pri-
vate person in New England, and with very few exceptions the largest

H
>

Pi

<

U

AND ITS PEOPLE 749

ever made by a private person in his life-time, anywhere in the world."
Of the original gift of a million dollars, Mr. Clark set apart as a working
or construction fund $;300,000 to be applied in the erection of buildings
and equipping them with appliances for the work of the University;
$100,000 as a library fund and $600,000 as a University endowment fund
for the general uses and support of the University. To this sum Mr.
Clark proposed to add another gift of $500,000 in real estate, library and
works of art, and the further sum of $500,000 for the maintenance of
three or more chairs. The latter gift was subject to the condition that
an equal amount be contributed by other founders.

The first story of the main building is of stone; the four upper
stories of brick. The dimensions are 304^4 by 114 feet; 78 feet in height
and 96 to the face of the clock in the tower. At first this building con-
tained oftice, library, recitation rooms, laboratories and gymnasium. It
has 90 rooms. The chemical laboratory was erected immediately after
the main building.

At the opening exercises Oct. 2, 1889, in the hall of the University,
Mr. Clark stated his purposes, the chief of which was original research,
General Devens presided. The story of the founding of the University
may be told best in the words of Dr. Hall at the celebration of the com-
pletion of the twenty-fifth year :

I was at the outset sent on an eight months trip to Europe with several score let-
ters of introduction, including one from the national government which gave me access
to the inside workings of Kultus ministeria and university inner circle, so that my trip
constituted a pedagogic journey I think almost without precedent. I was surprised to
find the inost eminent men of learning in Europe profoundly interested in it and so lav-
ish with their line, sympathy and counsel. I was entertained by Lord Kelvin, Pasteur,
Helmholtz, Jowett and some score of others of the greatest living leaders in scientific
thought; went on a trip of inspection of German universities as the guest of the Prus-
sian minister of education, Von Goslaarm, and perhaps most embarrassing of all, was
taken in state by Gen. Trepanof on a visit to the two great Russian military schools
near St. Petersburg in each of which an all day's program of military evolutions had
been arranged for my special edification ; was a guest of honor at a meeting of Swed-
ish universities, etc.

My instructions from Mr. Clark had been to see everything and every institution
possible, collect building plans, budgets, administration methods of every kind. I came
home slightly intoxicated with academic ideals, so were all of us in sorne degree, ac-
cording to our temperament, but a reality that was sobering enough soon confronted
us. If ever there was an academic tragedy, a via crucis, a veritable descent into
Avernus, it was here. We began the fourth year, 1893-4, with only one-fourth the
total annual resources that we had the first year. In the seven years that followed,
down to the founder's death in 1900, we had for all purposes only — less than $30,000.
Several of us who remained here were tempted by larger offers to what seemed more
promising fields.

There was no friction. We stood and worked shoulder to shoulder.

Compared either with the size of our faculty, the number of departments or our
annual budget, we have fitted more men for higher degrees, seen more of them in
academic chairs, where they are found in all the leading institutions of the land, in-
cluding some dozen of presidencies, first and last; published more original contribu-

750 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

tions which seek to add to the sum of the world's knowledge ; have a larger propor-
tion of members of our faculty starred as of the first rank in Cattell's census of the
competent ; had closer personal and often daily contact with students, and given more
individual help outside of classes had more academic freedom (for no one in our
history has ever suffered in any way for his opinions) : had more autonomy in our de-
partments, each of which is a law to itself; had less rules and formalities of every
kind ; had less drudgery of marks and faculty rulings ; had a president who was less
president and more teacher, good or bad ; spent less time in devising ways and means
of seeking contributions from our friends here; advertised less and avoided all pub-
licity more, until now (when I am just for this one moment, throwing all our tradi-
tions of silence and modesty to the winds). In these respects, we exceed any of the
other. twenty institutions of the Association of American Universities.

From 1892, when several instructors resigned, the faculty remained
intact for twenty-one years. Then Dr. Clifton F. Hodge, professor of
biology, resigned to accept a chair in Oregon. The death of the founder
brought a large addition to the endowment, making the total gift of Mr.
Clark about $4,000,000. The department of chemistry was reopened
and enlarged ; departments in history, economics and philosophy added.
A library building has been erected at a cost of $225,000.

The original library fund of $100,000 given by Mr. Clark, was
increased by a bequest at the time of his death in 1900 by about $600,000,
besides $150,000 for a building. The new building was opened in the
fall of 1903, the formal dedication taking place Jan. 14, 1904. It con-
tains 13 rooms and a floor space of 25,000 square feet. The main library
room has a capacity of 60,000 volumes. It was modeled after the library
of Trinity College at Cambridge, England, designed by Sir Christopher
Wren. The stack room has shelves for 75,000 books. The library is
conducted on the open-shelf plan, every book being accessible to author-
ized persons. "There was probably no department of the University,"
said Mr. Wilson, the librarian, at the time of dedication, "in which Mr.
Clark took more interest than the library. 'It is difficult to understand,'
he said, 'why men have so long worshipped books as books, and have
not realized that, after all, they are merely tools to be used in working
for higher things. ... If there is any place on earth where a liberal
spirit inust be shown, it is in a university library, I would say especially
in the Clark University library.' "

In course of time the library room in the main building proved inade-
quate and an addition was decided upon in 1909, was completed in the
summer of 1910, and has been in use since the fall of that year. The
main room is 53 by 80 feet, having shelf capacity of 15,000 books. Ac-
cess to the University library is provided by means of a corridor. The
building is English collegiate Gothic in style. It cost $100,000, making
the total cost of the two library buildings $225,000. (See Worcester
Mag. 1908, p. 129; 1911, p. 384). Both library buildings were designed
by Forst, Briggs & Chamberlain, and built by Norcross Bros. Co., of this
city. Few colleges in this country have as good buildings and as well
endowed and equipped libraries as Clark.

AND ITS PEOPLE 751

Clark College. — Clark College was founded in 1902 under a codicil
of the will of Mr. Clark, which charged the trustees of Clark University
with the creation of "a Collegiate Department where young men, who
have graduated from the high schools and other preparatory schools
and have not the means to enable them to attend universities where the
expense is large, may obtain at a moderate cost and in a three years
course a practical education which shall fit them for useful citizenship
and their w^ork in life." Other provisions stipulated an administrative
organization wholly independent of the University and responsible
directly to the trustees. Clark College is thus an independent under-
graduate institution, separately endowed, with a separate faculty and
student body, but governed by the trustees of Clark University and hav-
ing joint privileges in the Library and making use of the same campus
and buildings as the University, with which its relations are those of
intimate and cordial cooperation. The productive endowment of the
College is $1,300,000.

To organize a new college in New England and not to duplicate
admirable institutions already in the field was no easy task and called for
special care in the selection of the first president. Under the guidance
of Senator Hoar, then chairman of the board, the place was offered to
Col. Carroll D. Wright, United States Commissioner of Labor, who
accepted early in 1903, though duties in Washington and in connection
with the great anthracite coal strike, prevented the new president for
some months from taking personal charge of affairs. The details of
organization were meanwhile carried out by the first Dean, Prof. Rufus
C. Bentley. The selection of Col. Wright for the presidency was most
fortunate for the new institution. He brought to it fresh points of view,
large experience in administration, an international reputation in science,
and high qualities of leadership and character.

The marked features of the college, in addition to the low tuition
and the three year course required by Mr. Clark's will, M^ere the substi-
tution of admission on trial for the usual entrance examinations, a group
system of studies, close personal supervision of student work and the
prohibition of intercollegiate athletics.

The first class was received in October, 1903, sixty-three strong.
The formal exercises of President Wright's inauguration were held Oc-
tober 9, 1903, with addresses by Senator Hoar, President Hall and Sena-
tor Henry Cabot Lodge. The first class, reduced by the exigencies of
the curriculum and other causes to 43, was graduated June 21st, 1905.
President Theodore Roosevelt was the guest of the College on this occa-
sion and received the degree of LL.D. at the hands of President Wright.
The commencement oration was delivered by Dr. Hamilton W. Mabie.

The institution grew steadily in students and instructors until in
1909, the year of President Wright's death, the numbers were 186 and
23 respectively. The second president. Dr. Edmund C. Sanford, was

752 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

elected by the trustees in October, liJOU. Under his administration the
organization of the institution has been developed and the standard of
requirement in scholarship raised without essential departure from the
main lines already laid down.

The great war has made serious inroads upon the College personnel
as upon that of other institutions of higher education. Even before the
declaration of war against Germany, several of the students and one
member of the faculty had taken the training at Plattsburg and a volun-
tary military company had begun drilling on the campus. With the
declaration of war still greater attention was given to military matters.
The voluntary company was taken over as a regular part of the college
work; courses were immediately offered in military map-making, mili-
tary hygiene and in wireless telegraphy. With the friendly assistance of
Worcester citizens a fund of $8,000 was raised and a unit of 22 motor
ambulance drivers sent to France to work under the auspices of the
American Field Service — 18 of them college undergraduates. At the
same time others left college to enlist in the Naval Reserve, and a little
later still others for special work on the farms and in various sorts of
indirect war service. At the present time some 30 or -iO of the alumni
of the College (numbering in all but Jiol) are commissioned officers in the
army and navy of the United States ; 100 or more — students and alumni
— are non-commissioned officers or privates ; while 20 or 30 are in scien-
tific work for the government or for war industries, in Y. M. C. A. work,
or in other indirect forms of service. Of the faculty two are commis-
sioned officers, one is in Y. M. C. A. work in France, one has been
released in order to give full time to government work, and several more
are assisting without interrupting their college duties, as opportunity
oft'ers.

State Normal School. — The State Normal School at Worcester was
established by act of the State Legislature in 18T1, and was opened Sept.
15, 187-1. Although a state institution, this school has been able by its
location in the populous city of Worcester to offer the youth of the
city exceptional advantages of training for the profession of teaching
and by its close affiliation and alliance with the city school system has
virtually become a local institution. For this reason the student body
has always come largely from the city and its immediate vicinity and a
large proportion of its graduates have become teachers in the city schools.

The site of the school was formerly known as Hospital Grove, and
is situated on one of the nearest of the circle of hills on which Worcester
is built. It has an elevation of 688 feet, which makes it very admirable in
many respects. The view is inspiring in all directions and the grounds,
comprising nearly six acres, are of great beauty, due to the rolling char-
acter of the hill, the fine grassy slopes and the noble oaks which stretch
in great numbers up to lofty heights aJl about the buildings and walks.
Rarelv does one see a more attractive and fitting setting for a school than

AND ITS PEOPLE 753

this one. The main building, of the style of an old French castle, is
rugged in appearance, as if built to endure rather than to adorn. It is
constructed of gray stone which was quarried on the very site of the
school itself from the ledges that crop out in many places here and there.
Adjoining the main school building is the gymnasium, erected in 1896,
also of stone, possessing considerable architectural beauty. Besides these
two building there are two frame houses, one a school dormitory with a
capacity for twenty boarders, known as Stoddard Terrace in honor of
Colonel E. B. Stoddard, for many years the official school visitor
appointed by the State Board of Education, and the other the home of
the school principal.

The design of the Normal School is strictly professional; that is, to
prepare in the best possible manner the pupils for the work of organiz-
ing, governing, and teaching the public schools of the Commonwealth.
To this end there must be the most thorough knowledge : first, of the
branches of learning required to be taught in the schools ; second, of the
best methods of teaching these branches ; and third, of right mental
training. Throughout its history the methods of instruction have been
original and progressive with a definite basis in child psychology. The
first principal, Mr. E. Harlow. Russell (see biography) was a pioneer in
the investigation of the child as a problem of instruction and did much
to advance the study and the knowledge of child life. In all the work
of the school through the years, the same aim and spirit have persisted,
and the individual pupil, with attention to his talents and his defects, his
interests and his possibilities, has been the object and center of all stud-
ies. More than six thousand written exercises prepared by students of
the school and based on actual observations of children were some years
ago presented to Clark University and made the subject of further inves-
tigation, classification and tabulation. To facilitate this study of indi-
vidual pupils, classes of children are taught at the school by the students
in training working under expert supervision and those who are able to
secure entrance into these classes are deemed especially fortunate. Since
1910 the Elizabeth Street School has also been officially connected with
the Normal School for the purpose of giving the students additional
advantages of observation of good teaching in the various subjects of all
grades from the kindergarten to the eighth grade.

Since its foundation the school has graduated about eighteen hun-
dred students and the attendance varies from two hundred to two hun-
dred and fifty. Since 1915 the admission has been restricted to young
women only. The principals of the school have been three, as fol-
lows: Mr. E. Harlow Russell, 1874-1909; Dr. Francis R. Lane. 1909-
1913; and Dr. William B. Aspinwall, since 1912 (see biography). Mr.
Russell, who served the school for thirty-five years, was present at the
40th anniversary in 1Q14 and was greeted with great affection and many
W.— 1-48.

754

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

tributes by his former pupils. Other speakers on this occasion were Dr.
Austin S. Garver of Worcester; Dr. G. Stanley Hall, president of Clark
University ; Dr. David Snedden, State Commissioner of Education ; and
Dr. William B. Aspinwall, the present principal. Governor David I.
Walsh, who was to have had a part in the celebration, was prevented by
a painful accident from attending.

In 1913, under the direction of the present principal, an annual con-
ference on the problems of rural education was organized which has since
its inauguration had a conspicuous influence in improving the physical
condition and social efticiency of the country schools. Educators and
rural workers of national reputation participate each year in these meet-
ings which are attended by teachers, superintendents, members of school
committees and of granges, and others interested in rural school progress.

ASSUMPTIOX COLLEGE.

The suDjects considered by these conferences have been: 1912 (Febru-
are 10), The Improvement of the Rural School. 1914 (March 27), Rural
School Hygiene. 1915 (March 26), The Improvement of Rural School
Grounds and Interiors. 1916 (April 28), The Rural School as the Com-
munity Center. 1917 (March 23), Vitalizing the Rural School Cur-
riculum. 1918 (March 15), Teaching the Duties of Citizenship.

In January, 1917. the American Journal of School Hygiene was first
published, and is now issued monthly by the Head of the Department of
Hygiene and Psychology of the school.

Assumption College. — :The youngest of the institutions that may
grant college degrees in this city is Assumption College at Greendale.
The shorter name was taken in 1917, bv virtue of an amendment in the

AND ITS PEOPLE 755

charter, which was granted by the legislature to the Society of the
Augustinian Fathers of the Assumption in Worcester, Dec. 1, 1904, with
authority to grant the degree of bachelor of arts, Rev. Omer J. Rochain
is the president.

The college began with classes in 1904 in a small wooden building
on the slope of the hill between West Boylston street and Burncoat
street, with half a dozen pupils. In the following year the number of
students was so great that the adjoining house was also used for the
infant college. Confident of the future of the institution provided ade-
quate buildings and facilities were available, the Fathers in charge made
an earnest attempt to raise the funds to build a college building. As-
sisted by the generosity of Mgr. Brochu, they acquired a few acres of
land on Baltimore avenue, north of their original location. Here they
laid the foundations of a handsome and solid structure of brick and
granite, intended for about sixty students. The building was outgrown
in less than five years.

At the time of the visit of the Superior General of the Assumption-
ists, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Bailly, in 1911, it was decided to erect a large
central structure to which the original building should be a wing. Work
was begun at once and by September roohis were ready for three times
the original capacity, and 120 students registered. That was before the
first class graduated in 1913. The building has a sightly location and
is one of the landmarks of the northern part of the city. Besides erecting
this spacious building, the trustees have purchased all the land between
Boylston and Burncoat streets, north of their other property. Baseball
fields and tennis courts have been laid out and the students instructed
in athletics. The institution is the especial center of interest of the
French-Cathohc population. (See Wor. Mag. 1912).

CHAPTER XLVIII
Entertainment Societies

The Worcester Lyceum. — The Worcester Lyceum was organized in

November, 1829, with forty to fifty members. The first officers were :
Rev. Jonathan Going, president; Anthony Chase, secretary, and an exec-
utive committee : Frederick W. Paine, Moses L. Morse, William Lin-
coln, Ichabod Washburn and Thomas Chamberlain. The chief purpose
of the organization was to provide a course of lectures each year; estab-
lish a circulating library ; and for debates. Classes were formed for
study of various topics, and chemical apparatus purchased. In 1855 the
library of the Lyceum was transferred to the Young Men's Library As-
sociation, but the lecture courses were continued until the Lyceum was
merged with the Library Association by act of the legislature, approved
March 15, 1856.

Worcester Natural History Society. — The Young Men's Library As-
sociation was originally formed for purposes similar to the Young Men's
Christian Association, from which those of liberal religious denomina-
tions were then excluded. A call was issued in August, 1852, in the
Spy, for "young men connected with the Unitarian, Second Advent,
Universalist, Friends and Free Churches, and all interested, to meet at
Waldo Hall to consider the propriety of organizing a Young Men's Chris-
tian Association worthy of the name." The meeting was called to order
by Rev. Edward Everett Hale, pastor of the Church of the Unity;
George F. Hoar was elected chairman, William Mecorney, secretary.
About fifty names were taken as prospective members, and a committee
appointed to confer with the Y. M. C. A., looking to a union of the two
organizations. Though the committee reported that such a union was
feasible, it recommended that no further action toward union be taken.

The new society perfected its organization under the name of the
Young Men's Library Association, its objects being the improvement
of the young men of the city by affording them intellectual and social
advantages, by the maintenance of a library, reading room, and such
courses of lectures and classes as may conduce to that end. The society
took over the rooms which had been fitted up by the Y. M. C. A. The
first officers, elected in December, 1852, were : Francis H. Dewey, presi-
dent; George W. Bently, vice-president; George F. Hoar, corresponding
secretary; Nathaniel Paine, recording secretary; Henry Woodward,
treasurer. An act of incorporation was accepted April 16, 1853. In
1854 a campaign for a library resulted in securing gifts of 867 books
and more than $1,300 in cash. The library was opened June 18, 1853,
and the public was given the use of the books on payment of a dollar
annually. A reading room was soon added.

758 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

In 1855 the Young Men's Rhetorical Society was merged with the
Library Society, continuing until 1858. In 1856 the Worcester Lyceum,
established in 1829, was merged with the Library Society, and the cor-
porate title changed by act of the legislature to The Worcester County
Lyceum and Library Association.

In 1851 a natural history department was formed for the study of
the natural sciences. Prof. Louis Agassiz, of Harvard, came by invita-
tion to assist in planning its work, April 28, 1854. At that time the
collection of the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History, then in posses-
sion of the American Antiquarian Society, was given to the Lyceum and
Library Association, and formed the nucleus of the present Natural
History Museum. Rev. E. E. Hale was elected chairman of the natural
history department, William E. Starr, secretary, and James B. Blake,
treasurer. Henry A. Marsh succeeded Mr. Blake a few Aveeks later.
In 1856 the miscellaneous library of Dr. John Green came into posses-
sion of the society. In November, 1859, after the ,death of Mr. Gray, the
librarian, a committee consisting of Dr. George Chandler, Albert Tol-
man and T. W. Higginson, appointed to consult with Dr. John Green
about the appointment of a new librarian, learned that he had the inten-
toin of giving his library to the city as the foundation of a public library.
The committee recommended that the society library also be given to
the city. The gift of Dr. Green and the association were accepted by the
city council in December, 1859. (See Public Library).

The Natural History Department was the main activity of the
society after the library was given away. In 1860 the name was changed
to Worcester Lyceum and Natural History Association. Since that
time the organization has devoted itself to the study of natural history
and collection of specimens, except that for a long time a yearly course
of Lyceum lectures was maintained, which brought before the public
such people as Hayes, the explorer, Wendell Phillips, Garrison, Doug-
lass, Gough, Chapin, Beecher, Collyer, Kate Field, Mary Livermore,
and other prominent people of the period. In 1880 the plan of giving
instruction by means of free classes for the study of natural history was
inaugurated. Since 1882 the museum has been open to the public daily
from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. A system of loans was devised to assist schools
and students in the study of natural history. Some results of its work
are that the Museum is visited yearly by thousands to see the exhibits,
permanent and transient; many to attend lectures and classes, and thus
through those who are teachers, hundreds of school children are reached;
many teachers bring their classes or send individuals for study ; many
come for specimens to study at home or to illustrate lessons before
classes; many to identify birds, insects, minerals, rocks; some to learn
how to combat harmful animals and plants. Especial attention is being
paid to interest children in the study of Nature. The purpose of its col-

AND ITS PEOPLE 759

lections is to start at the simplest forms of life and follow up to men on
the one hand and the highest plants on the other, on the plan suggested
by Agassiz, namely, the outside world represented by a type of each
important group or order and Worcester county by every species ; also
to represent the inorganic kingdom.

The final change in name was made by act of the legislature March
6, 1884, the present title being The Worcester Natural History Society.
In the same year a tract of about 40 acres was secured on the shore of
Lake Quinsigamond, and called Natural History Park. In the summer
of 1885 the first summer camp for boys was established there. Thomas
H. Dodge gave $1,000 for the purchase of tents and the building of a
structure since known as the Dodge Pavilion, in which lectures were
given and classes heard. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge subsequently added $500
to this gift. In 1888 Joseph H. Walker gave $5,000 to enable the society
to perfect its title to the real estate, and in the same year, through the
efforts of Horace H. Bigelow, a workshop well stocked with tools was
added to the camp property. Various merchants contributed the lum-
ber and tools. The summer school and camp proved very popular until
recent years, when the Boy Scouts and other organizations working
along similar lines proved more attractive to the youth of the city. From
1880 until the summer school was discontinued. Dr. W. H. Raymenton
was president of the society and took personal charge of the camp.

The bequest of Edwin Conant in 1891 gave a much-needed and very
suitable home for the museum at the corner of State and Harvard streets,
which is now outgrown, more room being needed for collections and
classes.

At the monthly meetings of the society papers are read on topics
relating to the work of the society. It has published "The Physical
Geography of Worcester" by Joseph H. Perry, with photographic illus-
trations by the late J. Chauncy Lyf ord ; "Geology of Worcester, Mass.,"
1903, by Joseph H. Perry, teacher of chemistry and geology, Wor-
cester High School, and B. K. Emerson, Professor of Geology at Am-
herst College ; "Flora of Worcester County," 1903, by Joseph Jackson,
Principal Worcester High School; "Birds of Worcester County," 1911,
by Chester A. Reed.

The society has placed in the mansion at Green Hill a collection of
Worcester county birds, and it is said to be a most complete and valua-
ble collection of local birds. At the State street building, classes are
formed each year at the proper season to study mushrooms, mosses,
ferns, flowers, trees, insects, birds, minerals, geology and astronomy.
From early spring until late in autumn all of the wild flowers of this
vicinity, gathered fresh from the fields and woods, properly labeled, are
displayed for the benefit of the public. Particular attention is being paid
to make its collection and pressed botanical specimens complete.

Mothers* Child Study Circle. — The idea of this club originated with

76o HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Mrs. Alfred F. Longley, one of its devoted members until her death. She
confided her idea to a friend, Mrs. C. P. Earley, who promoted it. Young
mothers already interested in the new child study movement pledged
their support. A meeting was held at the home of Mrs. William H.
Gates and there, on the third of February-, 189T, the Mothers' Child Study
Circle was organized with fourteen members ; officers : Mrs. Earley,
president ; Mrs. Gates, vice-president ; Mrs. Longley, secretary and
treasurer; Mrs. W. H. Nelson, librarian.

The circle was to meet bi-monthly at private homes, and for this
reason and to promote efficiency, its membership was limited to fifteen,
later to twenty. The child and everything which contributes to child
development were to be subjects for study and report; experts in these
lines of study occasionally secured to speak ; the scientific child study
work reported; magazines and books helpful for child study circulated,
and mothers' problems discussed in a question box meeting each year.
This plamof work proved largely practicable, satisfactory in its results
and, minus the magazine and book circulation, is still followed by the
circle.

Features have been added, notal)ly a picnic in June ; a Christmas
partv for the children, at which Christmas gifts are prepared for less
favored children ; fathers' night, informal and popular with the fathers ;
extension work, long desired, possible at last through legacies in the
wills of ]\Ir. and Mrs. Thomas H. Dodge ; story-telling and report of
current events. In the extension work money is not given, but clothing
is made for various city charities ; dolls dressed by the members, toys,
stockings, mittens and Christmas goodies are given to public kindergar-
tens, and open meetings are held designed to instruct young mothers
in the care and training of children. The circle at the present time num-
bers nineteen active members and several honorary ones (all past mem-
bers). It is more vigorous and efficient than ever in its history. The
present officers are Mrs. E. I. ^Morgan, president; Mrs. Robert Whitte-
more, first vice-president; Mrs. Charles T. Haven, second vice-president;
Mrs. James C. Davis, secretary and treasurer.

Public Education Association. — The following is from the pen of
Mrs. Eliza D. Robinson:

Early in January, 1905, a group of Worcester citizens, among whom were Charles
M. Thayer, Dr. William H. Burnham. of Clark University, Rufus B. Fowler, Esq., Mr.
and Mrs. J. Russel Marble, and Mrs. Fannie Fern Andrews of Boston, met at the
home of Mrs. Joseph J. H. Robinson to discuss the advisability of an organization of
both men and women, to advance the cause of public education in the city. A public
meeting was held Jan. 17th, in Memorial Hall, with James P. Munroe of Boston, for
the principal speaker. At a later meeting February 7th in the same place, Clinton
Rogers Woodruff, Esq., Secretary of the National Municipal League, gave an address
on "Public Education and the Citizen."

Charles M. Thayer, Esq., presided at both meetings, and remarks in favor of
an organization were made by Hon. James Logan, Prof. George L. Alden, Rufus B.

AND ITS PEOPLE 761

Fowler, Esq., Homer P. Lewis, Supt. of Schools. Rev. A. W. Hitchcock, Prof. Arthur
G. Webster and others. A constitution was adopted and the following ofificers elected :
President, Prof. George L. Alden ; Vice Presidents, Philip J. O'Connell, Col. E. B.
Glasgow; Secretary, Mrs. J. H. Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Cora Greene; Treas-
urer, William Woodward. The object of the society was: "To secure and maintain
the highest educational standards for Worcester." The necessity of working construc-
tively and in cooperation with established authority, was emphasized both by Mr. Wood-
ruff and President Alden. The first meeting of the executive board was held in Room
12, City Hall, and the following standing committees established — school hygiene, man-
ual training, education cNtension, school organization, and school visitors. Head-
quarters for the Association were secured by President Alden at No. 11 Foster St.,
and on the occasion of the openirg, Dr. G. Stanley Hall delivered a stimulating ad-
dress on "Citizens Initiative in School Reforms." The Manual Training Committee
later known as Committee on Industrial Education, encouraged by means of lectures
and exhibitions from other cities where the manual training was co-extensive with the
course of study, aided the extension of manual training in our schools. In 1906 a law
was passed making it possible for a city to erect and equip schools for industrial
and agricultural training, the state to reimburse for half the maintenance. Milton P.
Higgins, chairman of the committee, had already given much study to the problem of
securing skilled workman for the industries. On January 4th, 1907, a meeting was held
in Washburn Hall in the interest of Industrial Education for Worcester, under the
auspices of the Public Education Association; members of the Mechanics Association,
Metal Trades and Board of Trade were invited to cooperate. Mr. Higgins presided.
Hon. Carroll D. Wright, Pres. of Clark College and Chairman of the Douglas Com-
mission, which investigated industrial conditions in Massachusetts, honorary member of
this association ; Magnus W. Alexander, organizer of the Apprentice School at General
Electric Co., Lynn, were speakers. A subsequent conference resulted in the choice of a
committee of five to draft a petition to the city government composed of Milton P.
Higgins (Pub. Ed. Assn.), Rufus B. Fowler (Board of Trade), Charles F. Marble
(Metal Trades Assn.), John R. Back (Mechanics Assn.), and George L. Alden (Public
Education Association). The Secretary of this association after correspondence with
the Independent State Industrial Commission was empowered to call a meeting in
behalf of a trade school for girls, in Woman's Club building. Secretary Morse of the
commission, addressed the meeting and a Conference Committee was chosen, com-
posed of delegates from Woman's Club, Twentieth Century Club, Council of Jewish
Women and the Public Education Association, to make investigations of industries in
the city employing women, and a petition, asking that provision for a trade school for
girls as well as boys, and that two women be appointed on the Commission for Indus-
trial Education for Worcester were sent to the committee of five, to be included in pe-
tition to city government. At the hearing, before the Committee on Education of the
City Council, Messrs. Alden and Fowler presented the case of the boys, and the Secre-
tary of the Public Education Association of the girls. Today there are two flourish-
ing trade schools in Worcester for boys and girls.

The subject of Vocational Guidance was first brought to the attention of Wor-
cester citizens by this association. Meyer Bloomfield, Director of Civic Service House,
Boston, spoke at the fifth annual meeting, and later, Supt. Stratton D. Brooks of
Boston Public Schools. President Alden believed that while Trade Schools now had
the approval of public sentiment, there was a large majority of boys and girls in our
public schools whose needs can best be met by the "half time plan." Prof. Alden out-
lined a plan for "a better education of boys and girls who leave the gramfnar school
to seek employment in unskilled industries" and recommended a special supervisor
who would be a helper and friend, in other words "a vocational guide." Favorable con-
sideration by school committee was obtained but business conditions prevented the
adoption of the plan at that time.

762 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The School Hygiene Committee under the able leadership for several years of Dr.
William H. Burnham of Clark University, an expert in this field, gathered facts in
regard to the practice of school hygiene in the cities of the U. S. and recommended
features specially commendable for safeguarding the health of the children. The
committee recommended: i. e., the passage of the bill for medical inspection of the
schools of Massachusetts; better control of contagious diseases; erection of school
houses sanitary in construction and equipment; sanitary drinking fountains which were
first introduced in Worcester school houses at request of this committee ; the best
methods of cleaning schoolhouses, especially use of oil in sweeping and prohibition of
all dry sweeping and use of feather duster, and the following year these recommenda-
tions were first put in practice; attention was called to the neglect of outdoor recesses
and investigation and improvement followed, also adequate playgrounds and the care
of school yards were recommended.

Attention of this committee was called by the school visitors' committee to the
fact that High School pupils w^ere without gymnasium and physical training. A peti-
tion from this committee. Dr. Kendall Emerson, then chairman, fortified by data col-
lected by Miss Robinson, resulted in appointment of two physical directors, one for
boys and one for girls. At the present time, Oct. 1917, there are two fine gymnasiums,
one at North High, the other at High School of Commerce, • with some provision for
physical training in all four High Schools and competent directors, both men and
women in all, and a general director in charge of the entire system, thus securing
breadth and unity of purpose.

The psychological clinic for examination of backward children was encouraged by
addresses from specialists in this most important field of Health Education and a clinic
is now held weekly in City Hall, under director of state alienists.

The committee has from time to time continued in the daily press, particularly in
the Gazette, the campaign for "Wider use of the School Houses for Civic Betterment"
and Miss Miriam Abbot of the committee prepared a valuable questionnaire on the
present use of the school buildings which was sent to all principals. "The most striking
fact brought out with regard to present use of the schools was the number of different
types of groups using the buildings in comparison with the number of times the build-
ings were used in toto. This would seem to indicate that there is a demand from all
classes of people for the use of the buildings, which is checked only by the expense in-
volved. In summarizing the value of this enquiry, the most encouraging and stimulat-
ing fact is the interest which the principals of the public schools have expressed, and the
cooperation with which they are ready to unite in developing an adequate policy of
civic recreation." Dr. Ray Greene served two years as chairman of this committee. In
1918 Dr. Caroline A. Osborne was elected chairman.

The School Visitors Committee has had the inspiration of seeing the work done in
the school rooms and also of receiving from the teachers valuable suggestions for prac-
tical work. Attention has been given to sanitary conditions, recesses, single and dou-
ble sessions, compulsory physical training in high schools, home gardens, and parents
have been urged to buy text books for their children when possible as health precau-
tion. Dr. Florence H. Richards of Philadelphia, medical director of the William Penn
High School for girls, was secured for a lecture on "Physical Education for High
School Girls." A demonstration of gymnasium work, (the first one of its kind in the
city) followed, under the direction of Miss Florence Bennett, physical director, as-
sisted by Miss Aileen Foley. The Education Extension Committee under the leader-
ship of Prof. U. Waldo Cutler, conducted evening lectures for two seasons in three
school neighborhoods and in spite of the lack of proper assembly halls, the attendance
was gratifying. Dr. Henry M. Leipziger of New York City, was engaged for a lecture
on "The School for all the People," with the result that the School Committee ar-
ranged a course of lectures, for which the City Council appropriated $1,000. These
were not continued and the P. E. A. established a committee on "Civics, Social Centers

AND ITS PEOPLE 7^2

and Recreation." Prof. Frank H. Hankins, chairman, in a series of important press
articles, called to the attention of the public "that with our present highly complex civ-
ilization we have lost the communion, fellow feeling and neighborhood interest on
which New England town life rested, and that the most efifective means of restoring
the community spirit and raising the level of civic life toward that of the democratic
ideal, is the Social Center." One such center was established at Union Hill, another at-
tempt in a new building equipped with a fine assembly hall proved abortive for the
reason that the neighborhood was made up of non-English speaking people, but the
knowledge gained has resulted in classes for teaching English to the foreign mothers
under the supervision of the School Department.

The Home and School Visitor, trained in social service, but unofficial, and sup-
ported by the Public Education Associations had proved of great value in bringing
about a closer relation between home and school, and it was decided to endeavor to
secure one for Worcester who should be a regular officer of the school department.
The effort was successful and the office of "Supervisor of Attendance" was created.
The changed character of the problem of school attendance was called to the attention
of the state superintendents and the recommendation that "Truant Officer" be changed
to "School Attendance Officer" was adopted in the recodified law.

A lecture by Prof. George Pierce Baker, of Harvard University, on "The Child
and the Theatre," resulted in the formation of a committee on "The Theatre as an
Educational Force/' Prof. Samuel P. Capen, chairman. The committee publicly en-
couraged worthy dramatic productions and stood sponsor for several plays. A ques-
tionnaire to ascertain the tlieatre-going habits of children, was sent to the schools and
the data secured presented to many groups of people. Under the direction of Chair-
man Prentiss C. Hoyt, a study of the condition in the cheaper theatres was made, and
assisted by Miss Marietta Knight and Miss Sarah B. Hopkins, children's plays were
successfully given at Endicott House, the use of which was generously granted by the
Worcester City Missionary Society. Recognizing the value of dramatization and
pageantry in history teaching, and interpretation of the life of a people, the committee
was changed to "Dramatization and Pageantry Committee." Prof. Horace G. Brown
of State Normal School read an important paper on "Dramatization in History teach-
ing," and Charles H. Lincoln, Ph. D., one on "The Significance of American National
Holidays," and Dr. William E. Bohn of the Ethical Culture School, New York City,
gave a lecture before the association on "The School Festival." Dr. Bohn said that a
Festival is any celebration which nobly embodies a noble ideal." This was finely il-
lustrated by the "School Festival" entitled "A Parade of Nations," given by the pupils
of Elizabeth street school (seventeen nationalities being represented) under the direc-
tion of Miss Emma Plimpton, the principal, with the cooperation of Dr. William B.
Aspinwall, principal of the Normal School, who has well said that "The amalgama-
tion of the races is the triumph of the American Public School."

Two pageants have been successfully produced — both on Fourth of July and with
the cooperation of the committee appointed by the mayor for the observance of a
"Safe and Sane Fourth." The first "The Spirit of Liberty," given in 1912, was planned
and directed by Mrs. Savage, chairman of the P. E. A. Committee; the second in
1913, "The Children of America," was directed by Miss Lotta T. Clark of Boston,
secretary of the "Drama League of America," Mrs. J. M. Talamo of the city committee,
and Mrs. J. H. Robinson, secretary of the association, were chairman and vice chair-
man respectively of the Executive Committee in charge. Both pageants were held on
Clark College campus.

Moral educational conferences were held annually for several years, with the co-
operation of the superintendents of schools. Afternoon sessions were held so that
the teachers could attend, and evening sessions were open to the public, and many emi-
nent speakers were secured. A bibliography on moral education was prepared and
also important reprints distributed am.ong the teachers.

764

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Public addresses have been given by many eminent speakers, among them, Dr.
David Starr Jordan, Chancellor of Leland Stanford University, Dr. G. Stanley Hall,
President of Clark University, Prof. J. William Hudson of University of Missouri,
Mr. Oswald Garrison Villard, president and editorial writer of the New York Even-
ing Post.

Practically every Public Education Association in the country has occupied itself
with the question of small school boards for the more efficient administration of our
public schools. A bill was presented to the Legislature during the administration of
Prof. George Q. Alden. This bill called for a non-partisan committee of seven elected
at large— in place of the committee of thirty elected afterwards. This bill was opposed
by the City Council and defeated. In 1916 the Committee on School Organization and
Administration, Prof. C. B. Randolph, chairman, secured a city wide interest in a bill
for smaller school committee, which called for eleven members, one from each of the
ten wards and one at large, and with a referendum to the people attached. Prof.
Frank H. Hankins, of Clark University, conducted the hearing. Mr. J. Russell Mar-
ble, president of the association, was made chairman of a "Citizens Committee," to work
for the referendum. The work of the campaign outlined by the committee was carried
out almost entirely by Mr. Marble, Mr. Rowland T. Hastings and Mr. Levi Bousquet—
other members actively interested were Prof. U. Waldo Cutler, Mr. Maurice F. Reidy
and Mr. Ernest Adams, and contributions to the expenses of the campaign expenses
were made by Mr. J. Russell Marble, Hon. James Logan, Prof. George Q. Alden and
by the association. The Worcester Evening Gazette, Post and L'Opinion Publique
pledged their support and were a great factor in the overwhelming victory which car-
ried every ward and precinct in the city.

The association has had for honorary members, presidents of Clark University
and Clark College, Worcester Polytechnic, College of Holy Cross and Principal of the
State Normal School, President G. Stanley Hall, honorary president. Presidents of
the Association since organization are as follows: Prof. George Q. Alden (3 years),
Prof. Samuel P. Capen (3 years), Prof. U. Waldo Cutler (3 years). Dr. William B.
Aspinwall. Rev. Vincent E. Tomlinson, Air. J. Russel Marble, Rev. Austin S. Garver.
Treasurers Charles E. Burbank and Prof. Charles B. Randolph served three years each
and Mr. James Green seven years. Secretary, Mrs. Joseph H. Robinson, served ten
years. Assistant Secretary, Alice Thayer, four years, Camilla G. Whitcomb, Eliza-
beth S. Campbell, Mrs. Robert K. Shaw, Olive M. Brooks, two years each. Miss Ara-
bella H. Tucker, one year. Presidents Alden, Capen, Cutler, Marble, Treasurer Ran-
dolph and the secretary have given active service as chairmen of committees, and also
Prof. William H. Burnham, specialist in School Hygiene; Prof. George H. Blakeslee,
History and International Relations : Dean James P. Porter, chairman of Committee
on Moral Education ; Dr. Amy E. Tanner, Committee of School Visitors ; Prof. Frank
H. Hankins. Civic Centers; Prof. Prentiss C. Hoyt, The Theatre as an Educational
Force, and Prof. Horace G. Brown, History and Moral Education.

CHAPTER XLIX

Historical and Literary Societies — Worcester County Historical Society

— American Antiquarian Society — Worcester Society of Antiquity —

Worcester Book Club — The Shaksepeare Club — Fraternity of

Odd Fellows — Worcester Art Museum — Public School

Art League — St. Wulstan Society

The Worcester County Historical Society. — At the beginning, this
Society had a promising future. Incorporated Feb. 19, 1831, the charter
members were John Davis, Samuel Jennison, Isaac Goodwin, William
Lincoln. The purpose was "to collect and preserve material for a com-
plete and minute history of Worcester county, — the origin, advance-
ment and social relations, geographical limits and appearance of the ter-
ritory," etc. John Davis, the first president, held the office for many
years. The centennial anniversary of the county was celebrated with
formal exercises, John Davis being the orator. The date of dissolution
is not known.

American Antiquarian Society. — Founded here by Isaiah Thomas in
1813, this is a national institution, its membership including the most dis-
tinguished scholars, authors, literary men, public officers and statesmen,
not only of the United States, but of various foreign countries. But the
energy, interest and devotion of a small group of men, mostly of Wor-
cester, created the society, collected its library, and contributed the funds
which have maintained it, built its home and have sustained its purpose
for more than a century. Prominent among these men have been Isaiah
Thomas, Stephen Salisbury, Sr., Stephen Salisbury, Jr.; the librarians,
especially the present one, who has accomplished through modern meth-
ods and a genius for this work, more than in many previous decades ;
Waldo Lincoln, the present head of the institution, whose personal pres-
ence and attention, refined taste and good judgment are in evidence
on every hand ; the late Nathaniel Paine, who collected everything
within his reach for this library ; Franklin P. Rice, who has given his
service faithfully in recent years, a service that counts beyond that of a
score of ordinary men on account of his lifelong experience in compiling
and printing historical works and on account of his natural gifts in
research.

Those who signed the petition for incorporation were : Isaiah
Thomas, Nathaniel Paine, Dr. William Paine, Rev. Aaron Bancroft and
Edward Bangs, all leaders in their professions, known from one end of
the country to the other. The petition states "that its immediate and
peculiar design is to discover the antiquities of our continent and by pro-
viding a fixed and permanent place of deposit to preserve such relics of

766 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

American antiquity as are portable, as well as to collect and preserve
those of other parts of the globe." These purposes were never realized.
They indicated an intention to have a museum such as the Smithsonian
Institution. The American antiquities have been collected and stored in
various museums. The small collection made by this society in early
days has been distributed among institutions most suitable for preserving
the articles, excepting some choice furniture, jewelry, china and other
relics of value. The society turned its attention to the collection of
American-newspapers, historical books and magazines, manuscripts and
records, and has made a library of incalculable value to the American
people and their historians. Much of the material in this library can be
found nowhere else.

The charter limited the amount of its income from real estate to
$1,500. The first meeting was held in the Exchange Coffee House, Bos-
ton, Nov. 19, 1812. At the next meeting President Isaiah Thomas gave
books valued at $4,000, and was requested to allow them to remain in
his house until the society found other quarters. The first meeting in
this city was at the tavern of Col. Reuben Sikes, now the Exchange Hotel,
Main street, Sept. 29, 1813. The Boston meetings were held in Ex-
change Coffee House until it was burned in 1819, and when it was
rebuilt, resumed its meetings there for a period of fifteen years ; from
May, 1836, to May, 1847, the semi-annual meetings were in the Tre-
mont House; then, until April, 1900, in the rooms of the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences and since then in the rooms of the Mas-
sachusetts Historical Society.

Mr. Thomas provided a building on Summer street at his own
expense, and the library was formally opened Aug. 24, 1820. Two
wings were added in 1831 ; it was never deeded to the society, however.
Mr. Thomas left $30,000 to the society and valued the library building
and land at $8,000, leaving $12,000 in books and $12,000 in money. The
building on Main street, corner of Highland, was erected on land given
in 1850 by Stephen Salisbury, who also gave $5,000 to the building fund.
The old building was sold to the trustees of Worcester Academy.

The society published a volume of archaeology by Caleb Atwater
in 1820 ; a volume on aboriginal languages by Albert Gallatin in 1835 ;
the early records of the Massachusetts Bay Co. in 1850. At the annual
meeting in 1863, completion of the half-century, an address was deliv-
ered by Rev. Dr. William Jenks, who had delivered the address at the
meeting fifty years before, and was one of the four survivors of the
original members, the other three being Gov. Levi Lincoln, Josiah
Quincy and Dr. John Green.

Samuel Jennison. who succeeded Mr. Thomas as librarian, served
until 1826. William Lincoln, who succeeded him, was a graduate of
Harvard, lawyer, editor, author of the history of Worcester. Christo-
pher Raldwiu, the next librarian, served October, 182T-1835, except when

AND ITS PEOPLE 7^7

he practiced law at Barre, 1831-33, during his absence Samuel M. Burn-
side acting as librarian. To Mr. Baldwin the society is indebted for
many of its rare books, and especially to enlarging its collection of Amer-
ican newspapers. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Baldwin both received as
exchanges, while editors, most of the important newspapers of the coun-
try and they kept the files, depositing them in the library. Maturin L.
Fisher, acting librarian two years, was succeeded in October, 1837, by
Samuel F. Haven, who served until April, 1881. He was succeeded by
Edmund M. Barton, now librarian emeritus. The present librarian,
Clarence S. Brigham, who served on the. committee in charge of the new
building which was dedicated in 1912, had charge of the removal and
classification necessary at the time of removal. He was formerly librarian
of the Rhode Island Historical Society.

Mr. Thomas was succeeded as president by Thomas Lindall Win-
throp. Edward Everett, the statesman, was next in this office. Since
then the presidents have been residents of Worcester. Everett was suc-
ceeded by Gov. John Davis, Congressman, Governor and United States
Senator. The second Stephen Salisbury was president from 1854 until
he died in 1884. He was a man of learning, and next to Mr. Thomas the
foremost benefactor of the society up to that time. Stephen Salisbury
(3d) was president from 1887 until he died. He was the third great
benefactor and builder of the library. The hew building was erected
from the generous legacy that he left the society. Senator George F.
Hoar was a member from 1853 until he died ; and was president from
1884-87; Nathaniel Paine, member from 1860 until death, 1917. Rev.
Edward Everett Hale served as president for one year. He was a mem-
ber of the society for sixty years and spoke often at its meetings.

In October, 1918, the library had nearly 6,000 books, the larger part
being the Thomas Collection, valued at $5,000, but at present prices
worth many times that amount. The library has copies of nearly all the
publications in the country before 1700, and a large part of those pub-
lished before 1800. It is rich in old manuscripts. It has the best col-
lection of early newspapers in the country. Among the more important
acquisitions of the library in later years may be mentioned the bequest
of books and manuscripts of Dr. William Bentley of Salem, gifts of
books valued at $5,000 by the estate of George Brinley of Hartford, a
gift of the same amount in the will of Joseph J. Cooke of Providence;
the bequest of William Bentley Fowle including the manuscripts of Dr.
Bentley. Substantial funds were bequeathed by Isaac Davis and Ben-
jamin F. Thomas of this city. In recent years the bequests
of books have been too numerous to mention. From these collections
many duplicates have been used to good purposes in securing volumes
by exchange with dealers and other libraries.

The library of the famous old Mather family constitutes one of the
treasures of the society. It contains many priceless manuscripts of Rich-

NATHANIEL PAIXE.

AND ITS PEOPLE 769

ard, Increase and Cotton Mather. The collection of engravings and por-
traits is very valuable. (See p. 1494 Hist, of Worcester County, Hurd).

Mrs. Mary (Robinson) Reynolds has been connected with the
library since February, 1881, and since Feb. 1, 1889, has been assistant
librarian. Her natural aptitude for the work and her intimate knowl-
edge of the library have made her invaluable in her position. She has
been occupied during a greater part of the time in work on the card cat-
alogue. No printed catalogue has been prepared since 1837.

The centennial celebration of the society was celebrated by the open-
ing of the new building and exercises of unusual importance Oct. 16,
1912. It was attended by President Taft; Rt. Hon. James Bryce, Am-
bassador plenipotentiary of Great Britain; Senor Federico Alfonzo Pe-
zet, Minister from Peru ; U. S. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, all of whom
made addresses; by delegates from all the great libraries and learned
societies of the country and many from abroad. The annual meeting
was followed by an historical address by Hon. Charles G. Washburn, to
whom the writer is indebted for some of the material of this sketch.
Formal exercises were held in the afternoon in the First Unitarian
Church, and a dinner in the evening at the Worcester Club, at which Mr.
Taft spoke. Some 2,000 persons attended the various exercises.

At that time the assets aside from the collections were reported as
$491,441.51. The progress and growth of the library since 1912 has been
greater than during any previous period. The new building at the cor-
ner of Salisbury street and Park avenue, is admirably located. The
building is of imposing architecture. The front is similar to that of the
original building on Summer street. The library stacks are of the
best modern construction. The reading room is beautifully appointed.
A striking feature of the main room is the circle of massive pillars of
polished Siena marble. The alcoves about the main room are lined with
books relating to American history — town, county, national, civil, and
Revolutionary War. In the main room are genealogies, and the col-
lection of family history is one of the best dozen genealogical collections
of the country. Special attention has been paid by Mr. Brigham to col-
lecting volumes on American biography and genealogy. Mr. Brigham
has been engaged also in preparing a bibliography of American news-
papers and at the same time by purchase and exchange adding to the files
of old American newspapers in the library. It has been a monumental
task and when complete will be of immense interest and value to
historians.

To this library every writer of general history must come for some of
his material, if his work is done thoroughly. There are constantly at
work throughout the year in the library investigators and writers, gene-
alogists and historians. Students in the colleges often come here for
material for their theses and special researches. The professors of the
W.— 1-49.

770

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

colleges are frequent visitors. Hundreds of important books have
acknowledgments by their authors of obligations to the society and
appreciation of its resources.

Worcester Society of Antiquity. — This was organized by Samuel E.
Staples, Franklin P. Rice, John G. Smith, and Richard O'Flynn, at the
residence of Mr. Staples, Lincoln place, Jan. 23, 1875. Daniel Seagrave
and Albert Tyler, the printers, were among the founders ; and some of
the preliminary meetings were held in their office. The constitution of
the society was adopted Feb. 13, 1875 ; the first officers elected March 2,

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.

were: Samuel E. Staples, president; Henry D. Barber, vice-president;
Daniel Seagrave, secretary; Henry F. Stedman, treasurer; John G.
Smith, librarian. During the first two years meetings were held at the
homes of members. The society was incorporated by act of the legisla-
ture secured by Hon. Clark Jillson. The charter members were Samuel
E. Staples, Clark Jillson, Ellery B. Crane, Daniel Seagrave, Franklin P.
Rice, James A. Smith, Albert A. Lovell and Albert Tyler. The first
meeting of the incorporated society was held March G, 1877, at the home

AND ITS PEOPLE 771

of Edward I. Comins, and the following officers elected : President,
Samuel E. Staples; Vice-Presidents, Clark Jillson and Ellery B. Crane;
Treasurer, James A. Smith ; Clerk, Daniel Seagrave. In 1878 there were
69 members.

The first rooms were occupied Oct. 2, 1877, in the Bank Block,- on
Foster street, where members met informally every Tuesday evening. In
addition to establishing the library largely from books given by members,
the society began the publication of its transactions and of various other
records, beginning with the inscriptions from the tombstones of the
Mechanic street burial ground. Inscriptions in the old cemeteries of
Worcester and adjoining towns were also copied. The society co-oper-
ated with Mr. Franklin P. Rice, who copied and printed as part of its
proceedings the early records of Worcester from the beginning to 1848,
including the vital records. This work extended over a period of years,
and is a monument to the industry, painstaking and persistent effort of
Mr. Rice, and a source of pride to all interested in the history of Wor-
cester and its families.

A portion of Rev. George Allen's library was bought by the society,
am.ounting to some 300 books, more than doubling the society's previous
library.

The tenth anniversary was celebrated in the Old South Church,
Jan. 27, 1885, Rev. Carlton A. Staples delivering the principal address.
At a banquet served in the Bay State House, Hon. Alfred S. Roe was
toastmaster.

Through the generosity of Stephen Salisbury (3d) the society came
into possession of the building-lot on which the society erected for its
purposes on Salisbury street. The property is now valued at $50,000.
The building was dedicated Nov. 24, 1891. The audience room is named
for Mr. Salisbury. The society has more than 27,000 bound books, about
40,000 pamphlets and an interesting museum of American history, con-
taining more than 6,000 Indian relics, also a large collection of Colonial,
Revolutionary and Civil War relics and numerous mementoes of domestic
life.

Hon. Ellery B. Crane, present librarian, formerly president and one
of the two surviving charter members, has been indefatigable in his ser-
vices from the beginning, not only in contributions to local history pub-
lished in the proceedings, but in securing additions to the library and
museum, also in giving his time to the work of the organization. The
society numbers among its members many of the prominent citizens and
scholars of the town, especially those interested in local history and in
genealogy. (See Historic Homes, etc., of Worcester County, edited by
Mr. Crane, Lewis Pub. Co., 1907; Worcester, City of Prosperity, by Tul-
loch, p. 217; Worcester Co. Hist. (Hurd) 1, 1607).

The officers in 1917 are: President, U. Waldo Cutler; Vice-Presi-
dents: Arthur P. Rugg, William F. Abbot, Adaline May; Recording

^72 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Secretary, Walter Davidson; Financial Secretary, Edward F. Coffin;
Treasurer, Frank E. Williamson; Librarian, Ellery B. Crane.

Worcester Book Club. — This club, established late in 1839 and still
active, may be the oldest in the country. The first book club was started
in Cambridge in 1832. Another had been organized in Northampton,
Massachusetts, before 1839, and the Misses Martha and Hannah Stearns
were members and perhaps among the founders. To them credit is
given of introducing the idea in Worcester. Mrs. Emory Washburn was
an active promoter. Emory Washburn, Samuel F. Haven, Dr. Oliver
Blood and Henry H. Chamberlin and Lincoln Newton were original
members. In addition to books bought, the club ordered magazines,
such as the English quarterlies, Blackwood's Magazine and the North
American Review.

At first an attempt was made to hold monthly meetings, and social
and literary features for entertainment, but the meetings were never pop-
ular, and the club devoted itself entirely to the circulation of books and
magazines. Gradually the administration of affairs was left to the book
or executive committee. In later years the executive officer was the
secretary and treasurer. The records of the society date from 1844 to
the present. In 1844 the members were : Dr. John Green, Theophilus
Brown, Frederick W\ Paine, John Milton Earle, Dr. Sargent, Samuel
Hathaway, Levi A. Dowley, Miss Woodward, L. L. Newton, Samuel F.
Haven, Henry H. Chamberlin, Albert Tolman, George T. Rice, F. H.
Dewey, Samuel Jennison, F. H. Kinnicutt, Emory Washburn, George A.
Trumbull, Miss Hamilton, Miss Stearns, Alonzo Hill, Dr. Oliver Blood,
M. D. Phillips and Daniel W. Lincoln. A social directress was elected
in 1846, Mrs. John M. Earl; in 1847 Mrs. Emory Washburn held this
office, and in 1848 Mrs. Henry Chapin. The directress had full charge of
the social aft'airs of the club. Beginning in 1850, meetings were held
quarterly instead of monthly. At first the dues were a dollar a year, then
three dollars and later five.

There were few changes in membership. As members resigned others
were elected, the membership for many years remaining at twenty-four.
Some of the later members elected were : Sarah Tucker, 1845 ; H. G.
O. Blake, 1846; A. H. Bullock, 1843; Henry Chapin, 1847; Rejoice New-
ton, 1849 ; Peter C. Bacon, 1850; Stephen Salisbury, 1851 ; Charles Paine
and P. LeBaron, 1853; Mrs. Eliza Davis and W. A. Wheeler, 1854;
Dwight Foster, 1856; Thomas Kinnicutt, C. Hartshorn, 1864; Miss
Canfield and Mrs. Willard, 1865; Mrs. Thompson and Mr. Wetherell,
1866; Philip L. Moen and Mr. Hamilton, 1867; Alice Miller and Mrs.
Bigelow, 1869; Miss Bartlett, 1874; Joseph Sargent, 1875; Mrs.
W. W. Rice, 1877; L. N. Kinnicutt, 1881; James T. Paine, 1883;
Rockwood Hoar, 1886; Mrs. William Workman, 1886; Mrs. J. C.
Throop, 1889; Mrs. George T. Rice; Miss Trumbull. G. S. Paine was
treasurer from 1845 to 1860. Albert Tolman was secretary a short time,

AND ITS PEOPLE 77^

and his son Edward F. Tolman for many years, 1890 to 1910. Since then
Miss Paine has been treasurer. Some of the early presidents were : L.
A. Dowley, George A. Trumbull, 1846; J. M. Earle, 1848; Henry Chapin,
1848; Rejoice Newton, 1849; Col. A. H. Bullock, 1850; H. H. Chamber-
lin. The membership has remained largely in the families of the early
members. In recent years the club has been smaller in point of mem-
bership. The present members are: Miss Lois O. Paine, Ellen Dana,
W. B. Allen, O. S. Kendall, A. S. Pinkerton, Fannie Hamilton, Margaret
Harlow, Mrs. Benjamin Stone, Caroline Townsend, Russell S. Paine,
Mrs. M. L. T. C. Roberts.

The Worcester Shakespeare Club. — The following account is con-
tributed by Mrs. Louisa Cogswell Roberts :

The club was founded in 1887 by Mrs. Josephine Heard Cutter, with the co-opera-
tion of Harry Leverett Nelson, an enthusiastic Shakespeare student, and Miss Grace
Cleveland (Mrs. Reuben Colton) ; then of Eben Francis Thompson, Worcester's lead-
ing dramatic reader. Among those invited to organize the society were Col. E. B.
Glasgow, a man of scholarly attainments, Samuel S. Green the librarian, and the Misses
Earle ; while prominent among the 25 or 30 at the first gatherings were Col W. S. B.
Hopkins, an accomplished amateur actor. Rev. A. H. Vinton, afterwards Bishop of
Massachusetts, Charles M. Rice and the Moen family.

The active membership is limited to fifty ; but the honorary (past members, resi-
dent or non-resident, and wives and husbands by courtesy) reaches a higher figure. It
is largely drawn from professional and professorial classes, and has included two col-
lege presidents and four judges.

The purpose of the club, as stated in the by-laws, is "the study of Shakespeare's
writings, and of other kindred subjects." While the primary object is still the read-
ing of his plays, the elasticity of the second clause has been stretched to cover a vast
variety of activities. Other dramas, from the ancient Greek down to contemporary,
have been studied, with the history and poetry of many lands. Essays, some of high
literary quality, informal talks and illustrative readings have extended over as wide a
range.

Thirty-five of the thirty-seven Shakespearean plays have been read, some of them
many times, and discussed. One year was devoted to other Elizabethan dramatists.
Among modern plays considered may be cited : Sheridan's comedies ; The Piper, by
Miss Peabody (a Stratford prize-winner); Jeanne d'Arc by Percy MacKaye; Lady
Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde, and Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra. A group from
the Irish Players' repertory was read by Thomas A. Watson of Boston (since made
an honorary member by compliment).

Some topics of papers are: — Shakespearean Characters, individually or in groups
as the Witches, Demons, Ghosts, Fools and Fairies; Hamlet's Sanity by Prof. Meyer,
psychiatrist; an original emendation of Hamlet by Rice; Early English Speech by
Prof. Webster ; Etymology, Versification ; Political and Social Conditions ; Magna
Charta ; Military Science ; Customs and Costumes ; Shakespeare's Life by Dr. Getchell,
Prof. Haynes and others; his legal lore, his portraits, by Mr. Thompson; Sonnets;
Famous Actors by Profs. Coombs, Webster, etc.; Rostand's Chanticleer by Prof. Ca-
pen; The Rubaiyat by Mr. Thompson with excerpts from Fitzgerald's and his own
translations ; and the wars of the world from the Caesarian to the present European
conflict, for which a six-star service flag might be displayed, since Prof. Webster,
Prof. Duflf, Dr. Emerson, Prof. Blakeslee, Dr. Clark and the Rev. Mr. Knapp are ren-
dering patriotic service in various lines here or abroad.

774 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Occasionally an outsider has favored the society with a paper : Mrs. Georgia Tyler
Kent gave Reminiscences of the Boston Museum, and Thomas A. Watson of the Ben-
son Players in England.

Some evenings have been enlivened by music. The songs of Shakespeare have been
sung; and selections from Gounod's opera, Romeo and Juliet, rendered. Mr. Thomp-
son's arrangement of Midsummer Night's Dream with the Mendelssohn music has been
presented several times. Browning's Toccata of Galuppi's was read with accompani-
ment of old Italian airs. Miss Morse and the late Walter S. Knowles freely gave their
services, instrumental and vocal; and outside talent has sometimes been enlisted.

The social side has been enjoyable. Refreshments are served at the regular fort-
nightly meetings held at the homes of members. On special occasions the honoraries ap-
pear, and guests are bidden, a club house being often pressed into service for larger as-
semblies. The closing annual meeting is marked by extra festivities, a musicale, the
reading of a modern play, theatricals, etc.

Public lectures', readings and entertainments have been given by the club or under
its auspices. In the first decade there were courses by James E. Murdock, Henry A.
Clapp and Alfred Waites, whose name as that of a Shakespeare scholar honors the
club roster. J. C. Black of Harvard was another early speaker. Judge Putnam de-
fended the Baconian Theory which was later refuted by Mr. Thompson. It was again
Mr. Thompson who, having addressed his fellow-members on the notable discovery of
the Shakespeare Deposition and presented to each a facsimile with transcription, ar-
ranged a lecture by the discoverer. Prof. Wallace. The members were the guests of
Judge William T. Forbes at a Shakespeare recital by Samuel King from the Univer-
sity of London ; and Frank H. Robson at a reception for the Ben Greet players, for
whose Macbeth the club stood sponsor. Theatre-parties have attended noteworthy
performances.

The most ambitious effort of the club was the presentation in the Worcester Thea-
ter, April 27, 1905, of the Dream of Shakespeare's Women by a company of 115 under
Miss Hopkins' management, the net proceeds of which ($1000) formed the nucleus of a
fund to build the Children's Ward of the Memorial Hospital.

In the decennial year, 1897, a sketch of the club by Mrs. Cutter was printed. The
appointment of Hon. Arthur P. Rugg as Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court
of Massachusetts, 1911, was celebrated by a dinner with speeches. The twenty-fifth anni-
versary of the club, 1912-13, was commemorated by a banquet, with Shakespearean
menu cards, music, addresses, and a dramatic skit on the personnel, by Prof. Webster;
also by the preparation of its complete history by Mrs. Roberts, which, with continua-
tion to the present time and a compilation of the records, will be published later.

The 350th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, 1914, was marked by a performance
of Midsummer Night's Dream (the Mendelssohn-Thompson arrangement) ; the Ter-
centenary of his death, 1916, by an exhibition of Shakcspeariana with explanatory
talks by Mrf Shaw, etc., at the public library, and by another banquet taking the form
of a costume party with Elizabethan glees and scenes from Shakespeare's plays en-
acted by members, Mr. Thompson supplying a prologue. A pleasant incident of this
season was a refection prepared by the Marbles from Tudor receipts. At this time too
the project of a community theatre was broached; with the co-operation of the Park
Commission, an arena has been partly constructed on the northern slope of Newton
Hill, where, it is hoped, a Shakespeare garden may be later planted.

Coincident with the Shakespeare Tercentenary occurred the Centenary of Sheri-
dan's death ; and The School for Scandal and the Rivals were performed at the Strat-
ford-on-Avon joint celebration. In this the following season these plays have been
read by the Shakespeare Club.

Presidents, 1894-1918, (term of office, i year). — Thomas Goddard Kent, Prof. Ar-
thur Gordon Webster, Col. Edward Brodie Glasgow, William Fitzhale Abbot, Hon.
Charles Thornton Davis, Dr. Albert Colby Getchell, Prof. William Edward Story,

AND ITS PEOPLE 775

Prof. George Henry Haynes, Prof. Zelotes Wood Coombs, Hon. William Trow-
bridge Forbes, Joseph Russel Marble, Frank Huson Robson, Samuel Heald Clary,
Charles Moen Rice, Dr. Kendall Emerson, Prof. Samuel Paul Capen, Hon. Arthur
Prentice Rugg, Robert Kendall Shaw, Chandler Bullock, Dr. Ray Woodville Greene,
(Mrs.) Josephine Heard Cutter, Eben Francis Thompson, Prof. Alexander Wilmer
Dufif, Miss Frances Clary Morse, Dr. Albert Milo Shattuck, president-elect.

Fraternity of Odd Fellows. — This, a literary society, not connected
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized about 1820.
Among the members were Emory Washburn, John Davis, Thomas Kin-
nicutt, Isaac Davis, Isaac Goodwin, Stephen Salisbury, C. C. Baldwin,
Henry and Gardiner Paine, James Green and William Lincoln. The
fifth anniversary was celebrated Dec. 8, 1824, when an oration was deliv-
ered and a poem read. In 1827 the society celebrated the Fourth of
July with an oration by Thomas Kinnicutt (Aegis Nov. 24) and a poem
by Richard H. Vose. Jubal Harrington was secretary in 1829. The
society ceased to exist many years ago, but no definite date has been
discovered.

Phrenological Society. — When phrenology was popular, the Phren-
ological Society was formed here in May, 1834. The first officers were :
Dr. Samuel B. Woodward, president; Stephen Salisbury, vice-pres. ;
Isaiah Thomas, sec; Dr. William Paine, treas, ; Dr. John Green, Dr. O.
H. Blood and Christopher C. Baldwin, directors. The society began
with much enthusiasm but its life was brief, and of its death there is no
record.

Worcester Art Society. — At a public meeting held April 16, 1877, in
the Board of Trade rooms, it was decided to organize the Worcester Art
Society. Stephen C. Earle, Burton W\ Potter, Henry Woodward and
Nath. Paine were appointed to present a' plan of organization. In Oc-
tober, Lucius J. Knowles presided, and a draft of the constitution and
by-laws presented; on Nov. 27, 1877, officers were elected: Pres., George
F. Hoar; Vice-Prests., Lucius J. Knowles, Edward H. Hall and Charles
M. Lamson; Secy., Rebecca Jones ; Treas., Joseph E. Davis; Directors,
Charles O. Thomson, Stephen C. Earle, Burton W. Potter, Mrs. Philip
L. Moen and Mrs. Joseph H. Walker. The society was incorporated in
December, 1887, when Nathaniel Paine was elected president.

The first exhibition was held in the Board of Trade rooms in the
Taylor building; and more than seventy water-colors and oil paintings
lent by members were shown. Subsequently exhibitions were held reg-
ularly; lectures on art were given from time to time. The society
became from the outset the leading organization devoted to art, until the
Art Museum was erected. Since then its members have cooperated with
that institution.

The presidents have been, besides those mentioned above: Samuel
S. Green, Charles S. Hale, Lincoln N. Kinnicutt, and Austin S. Garver.
Rev. Dr. Garver is now writing a history of the society. Charles A.

776 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Chase and Frederick S. Pratt served as vice-presidents ; Charles T. Davis
clerk and Prof. Zelotes W. Coombs treasurer, and for many years the
faithful secretary.

As being the pioneer art organization in the city, the society exerci-
cised a great influence for many years. Composed of leading citizens
who were later prominently identified with the museum, it was undoubt-
edly instrumental in no small degree in the establishment of that insti-
tution by Mr. Stephen Salisbury. It continued its independent existence
for some time, maintaining annual courses of lectures of much distinc-
tion; then, the membership having declined, it voted to turn over its
funds amounting to more than $2,000 to the Art Museum, to establish
and administer a fund to be known as the Worcester Art Society Lecture-
ship Fund.

Art League. — At a meeting of the Worcester School Board in
March, 1895, at the suggestion of Rev. A. S. Carver, a member, an organ-
ization to be called the Worcester Public School Art League was form-
ally approved, and the following persons were appointed to have charge
of its management: John T. Duggan, M. D., and Rev. Austin S. Carver,
representing the School Board ; the President of the Worcester Art So-
ciety; the President of the Art Students' Club; the President of the
Woman's Club ; the Librarian of Worcester Public Library ; the Super-
intendent of Schools; the Supervisor of Drawing; the Art Supervisor
of Drawing; Mrs. Edith Loring Getchell and Miss Frances M. Lincoln.
Later the School Board gave the League the privilege of adding a
limited number of persons to its membership. The first official meeting
of the League was held April 9, 1895, through the courtesy of the
Librarian, in his private room at the Public Library. The. following
officers were elected: Rev. A. S. Carver, pres. ; Frances M. Lincoln,
vice-pres.; Jeanie Lea Southwick, sec; Samuel S. Green, treas.

With the clearly defined purpose of attempting to beautify the
school-rooms, the Art League began its work. For several years the
work was necessarily largely of an advisory nature, owing to the lack
of funds at the disposal of the League. As time went on, private indi-
viduals became interested, and many gifts were received, among them
framed pictures, casts, and occasional small sums of money.

During the past few years the work has been greatly enlarged,
because of the generous annual gift of $500 from the St. Wulstan Society.
With this sum each year added to the amount raised in many of the
schools by the pupils, by means of entertainments, candy sales, and class
gifts, it has been possible to reach practically every school-room in the
city, and the work has overflowed to the corridors and school yards,
until many of them are hardly recognizable, so great has been the
improvement.

The meetings of the League are held regularly at the Public Library
the third Tuesday of each month of the school year. The annual meet-

AND ITS PEOPLE 777

ing occurs in January. The present officers are Pres., Frank J. Dar-
rah; Vice-Pres., E. H. Thornhill ; Sec, Carrie A. Hildreth ; Treas., Rob-
ert K. Shaw.

From time to time lectures and exhibitions have been held under its
auspices.

St. Wulstan Society. — This was organized for social and literary pur-
poses on the initiative of J. Everts Greene, who called the first meeting,
held at his home in June, 1890. The original membership consisted of
Senator George F. Hoar, Judge Hamilton B. Staples, Rev. Daniel Merri-
man. Very Rev. John J. Power, Samuel S. Green, Stephen Salisbury,
Judge Thomas L. Nelson, Frank P. Goulding, Dr. G. Stanley Hall, Dr.
Leonard Wheeler, Dr. George E. Francis, Rev. Alexander H. Vinton,
D. D., Henry A. Marsh, J. Evarts Greene and E. Harlow Russell. As
vacancies have occurred, men of similar distinction have been elected,
but the limit of membership has been kept at sixteen. At the meeting
in October, 1890, Mr. Marsh, one of the executors of the estate of Helen
C. Knowles, suggested that the society become trustees of the bequest
known as the "Helen C. Knowles fund for the advancement of art educa-
tion in Worcester," and, having accepted the proposition, the society was
incorporated in 1891, "for the purpose of promoting literature, art, his-
torical and social science in Worcester, and holding and administering
the Helen C. Knowles legacy for promoting art education in Worcester
and such other funds as may be acquired for the same and kindred
objects." The fund amounted to about $35,000. The income has devoted
to the Art Museum, the Art Society and other art organizations. The
first officers were: Pres., George F. Hoar; Vice-Pres., Stephen Salis-
bury ; Clerk, J. Evarts Greene ; Treas., Henry A. Marsh.

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
An addition has since been built for a Children's Department.

^OBf iC LfBRARY

tj ^'„ -54,-

PUBLIC LIBRARY, SOUTH WORCESTER BRANCH.

CHAPTER L

The Free Public Library — The Law Library — The Medical Library —

Worcester County Athanaeum — The Art Museum — Art

Students' Club

The following is contributed by Mr. Robert K. Shaw :

The Free Public Library.— The early history of the Free Public Library has
been written so exhaustively by Mr. Samuel S. Green, Librarian Emeritus, for Kurd's
"History of Worcester County," 1889 (vol. II, p. 1498-1504) that it would be useless
to retrace the ground so admirably covered by Mr. Green. Suffice it to say that two
private libraries, those of the Worcester Lyceum, organized in 1829, and the Young
Men's Library Association, dating from 1852, were united in 1856, and three years lat-
er gave their joint collections, amounting to some 4,500 volumes, to the city to form
the nucleus of the circulation department of the Free Public Library.

The Reference Department, at the same time, was set on a firm foundation by the
munificence of Dr. John Green, who on December 27, 1859, gave to the city his splen-
did private library of about 7,000 volumes "in trust for the free use of the citizens and
the public forever, as a library of consultation and reference, but to be used only in
the library building."

To his gift of books Dr. Green added in his will a legacy of $30,000 for the main-
tenance of the Reference Library, with the wise provision that one-fourth of the in-
come should always be added to the principal until the latter should amount to $100,-
000. Thus in the half-century since Dr. Green's death, his legacy has more than dou-
bled, and furnished at the same time a steadily increasing source of revenue.

After the close of Mr. Green's narrative of library history in 1888, the first import-
ant event was the erection of what is now (1918) called the New Building, adjoining
the old, which was erected in 1861. In 1888 the city acquired the land for $35,000,
and three years later, in April, 1891, the building was opened for public use. Its cost
was $100,000, and the architect, the late Stephen C. Earle.

The early months of 1895 saw the small beginnings of our branch library system.
Quoting from Mr. Green's annual report: "An expressman going thru Greendale on
his way from West Boylston to Worcester, stops at a store in Greendale every Wed-
nesday and Saturday; takes thence a locked box of books and cards of users to the
library building, and, calling at the latter place in the afternoon, takes the box filled
with newly selected books back to the store, at which residents call for them." For
the next three years no more stations were added.

In 1896 was issued the last supplement to the printed catalogs of the library, of
which the first appeared in 1861. Formerly considered indispensable, such catalogs
are no longer issued by the larger libraries, as their expense is enormous and they are
out of date before received from the press. Monthly bulletins of new books and frequent
reading lists on timely topics more than compensate for the absence of an obsolete
printed catalog in the home.

After several years of effort by the librarian and directors, in May of 1898 eight
delivery stations at various points between Greendale and New Worcester were opened.
At these stations, held in stores or private houses, books and readers' cards are sent
back and forth between the station and the main library, twice each week. The
falling far short of the facilities offered by branch libraries, they extend the library's
clientele, and sometimes pave the way for the establishment of a regular branch.

78o HISTORY OF WORCESTER

At this same time the recataloguing and reclassifying of the hbrary were in full
swing. Begun in 1894, this really heroic task of putting into logical arrangement for
public use at the shelves, a great circulating library of 70,000 volumes, formerly shelved ^
in their order of accession to the library, required great courage on the part of the
librarian to attempt, and persistence to execute. The same might be said of the prep-
aration of three public card catalogs : in the Reference Library, a compete catalog of
everything in the whole system ; in the circulation department another for that depart-
ment and the children's room, which latter has also one of its own.

The year 1900 saw the opening of the addition to the old building (20x35 feet)
which cost $7,000 and provided also for the beginnings of a children's department on
the second story.

Five years later a modified form of civil service was adopted as a means for fill-
ing all regular positions in the library except the very highest. By removing all
chance for favoritism in appointments and making examinations absolutely free to
all applicants, whether Worcester residents or not, the system has accomplished much
good. Of the forty-three regular members of the staflf in 1918, thirty-four were ap-
pointed through the library civil service. A set of printed rules for governing the Di-
rectors, the library staff and the public, was adopted at the same time. Samuel Swett
Green was the second librarian. Zephaniah Baker, the first, served from Feb. 17,
i860, to Jan. 14, 1871.

Early in 1909 Mr. Green resigned as librarian, on completing his thirty-eighth
year of active service in that position. A pioneer and recognized leader in his profes-
sion, and one of the incorporators of the American Library Association, Mr. Green
gave practically all his best years to the upbuilding and maintenance of the highest
type of public library in this city. For his unremitting zeal and persistence in making
this library known and appreciated in Worcester, and throughout the country at large
his native city must now and forever remain profoundly grateful. His successor,
Robert K. Shaw, entered the library service as assistant librarian, in February, 1905,
having resigned the librarianship at Brockton to accept this position.

Branch libraries, after more than five years of agitation, finally became a reality and
opened their doors to the public in February, 1914. First mentioned in library publica-
tions by Mr. Green in his last report, for 1908, this movement received efficient support
from Messrs. Charles T. Tatman and Frederick W. Vermille on the Board of Direc-
tors. Chiefly to Ex-Mayor James Logan is due the credit for securing from Andrew
Carnegie a gift of $75,000 to build three branch libraries, and from local property own-
ers the admirable sites at 470 West Boylston, 812 Millbury and 705 Southbridge Streets
respectively. At Greendale several manufacturers joined to present the land to the
city; at Quinsigamond the American Steel and Wire Company and at South Wor-
cester Messrs. Whittall and Thomas gave the sites.

At the laying of the three corner-stones on March 27, 1913, Mr. Carnegie was
present in person, entering with great zest into the proceedings. In the following
February the buildings were opened to the public; Judge Frederick H. Chamberlain,
president of the Board of Directors, conducted the simple exercises at all three
branches in the presence of crowds that taxed the capacity of the buildings and made
it impossible for many to find seats. Prof. Z. W. Coombs, president of the Library
Board for 1913, deserves the enduring thanks of the library's patrons for the great
amount of time and expert assistance offered in getting these branch libraries ready for
the public.

As aids in the development of community life, all three branches have enjoyed
marked success. The community room, fitted up attractively in the basement, has
been in each case, a welcome meeting-place for boys and girls clubs. Red Cross and
other war relief work, food conservation demonstrations and classes, as well as many
other activities. Since their opening the branches have been one of the library's most
valued assets.

PUBLIC LIBRARY, GREENDATE BRANCH.

PUBLIC LIBRARY, QUINSIGAMOND BRANCH.

AND ITS PEOPLE 781

Overcrowding at the main library has grown steadily worse for many years,
during which adequate service could not be rendered, while many priceless books and
pictures have been in constant danger of destruction from fire. Plans for a new build-
ing have progressed only so far as the endorsement by the Directors of a site at Salem
Square. Our entrance into the war has necessarily postponed activity in this direction.

Service to Worcester's highest educational interests has always been the library's
watchword. With the development of the children's department, and of the intimate
and helpful relations which the library has enjoyed during half a century with the
public schools, has come an opportunity to instill into the mind and heart of the child
a love for the best in all literature, domestic or foreign, which should help steadily to
raise the ideals and morals of our people toward that noblest internationalism which
alone can make future war impossible.

The total number of volumes in the library in 1917 is 218,473, and in the branches
17)395- The additions yearly are about 6,000 volumes.

Worcester County Law Library. — This came into existence with the
formation of the Worcester Coimty Law Library Association, June 21,
1842, under the provisions of a law passed that year. The association
consisted of the members of the bar of the county. From time to time
amendments have been made, but the law has provided from the begin-
ning a fund for the purchase and care of books, from the fees paid to the
county clerk. The library has had quarters in the court house. From
the beginning the clerk of the courts has been librarian. For many
years the collection was small. Credit for making it a library of import-
ance belongs to Judge Thomas L. Nelson, who for thirty years neglected
no opportunity to build the library through gifts and purchase. In 1858
Charles D. Bowman of Oxford bequeathed 800 volumes to the library.
William T. Harlow was clerk of the association for many years. In
1888 there were about 11,000 volumes.

When an addition was made to the court house in 1878, a large room
was provided for the library, and it was occupied until the last remodel-
ing of the court house, when the present rooms in the old south wing
were provided.

Since 1898 the library has been in charge of Dr. George E. Wire, as
deputy librarian, and its value and usefulness wonderfully increased in a
card catalogue, through the accession of many thousand volumes of care-
fully selected books, and the intelligent aid given to readers by the
librarian. The aim of Dr. Wire has been not to get as large a collection
or as complete a collection as some of the great law libraries, but to select
books wisely for their value to workers. When he took charge there
were 19,500 volumes; in 1917 there were 34,506. The collection includes
all American law reports of value, text books, statutes, English law
works, and some historical works. The library is open to the public as
well as the courts and members of the bar.

Dr. Wire's first assistant was Miss H. C. Taft. Miss E. A. Clark
was assistant from 1899 to 1903. Miss Lydia L. Kirschner has been
assistant since March 31, 1903. The directors in 1898 were Francis A.
Gaskill, Thomas G. Kent and Theodore S. Johnson. Willis E. Sibley in

782 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

1907 succeeded Mr. Kent who had been a director from 1884, and Arthur
F. Rugg succeeded Mr. Gaskill in 1910. Mr. Gaskill was elected in 1898.

As many as 25,000 books are used annually in the library, by about
three thousand persons. On the walls of the library are portraits of
Pliny Merrick, Benjamin F. Thomas, Charles Allen, Dwight Foster, Pe-
ter C. Bacon, George F. Hoar, P. Emory Aldrich, W. S. B. Hopkins,
Thomas B. Nelson. Other portraits belonging to the law library have
been hung in the court rooms. Among the notable gifts of later years
was the briefs of the late Frank P. Goulding, covering the period from
1868 to 1900.

Medical Library. — The library of the Worcester District Medical
Society, a very valuable collection, is deposited with the Public Library
and in the care of the librarian, though not owned by the city. The
nucleus of this library was the collection of books given by Dr. Elijah
Dix to the County Medical Society, which preceded the Worcester Dis-
trict Medical Society (founded in 1804). In 1813 Dr. Oliver Fiske and
Dr. John Green started a subscription to procure a library for the society,
but the library amounted to little or nothing until 1823. In that year
the society recevied a quota of books from the Massachusetts Medical
Society as a loan, but practically as a gift, for the books were never
reclaimed. In 1825 Daniel Waldo was thanked for "his splendid and lib-
eral donation of books." It is estimated that the society then had about
a hundred volumes. In 1836 it had 128 ; in 1843 over 200, but we are
informed that the books were not used to any extent. In 1845 a bequest
of $6,000 was made by Daniel Waldo, the income of which was used for
the purchase of medical works ; in 1851 Dr. Charles W. Wilder of Leo-
minster bequeathed $500 for the same purpose. In 1882 Harrison Bliss
left the sum of $1,000 for library purposes. Since the library has been
in the care of the Public Library, the interest of its funds have been
devoted almost wholly to buying books, and the income of about $500
has gone a good way to keeping a good medical library in the county.
The books may be used by the public in the reference library, and may
be taken out by members of the medical society. The books have a sep-
arate card catalogue.

Worcester County Athenaeum. — This was formed in 1830 for the pur-
pose of establishing a public library. The funds were raised by issuing
stock at $25 a share to members. The first officers were : Rev. George
Allen, pres. ; Rev. John Nelson, vice-pres. ; Frederick W. Paine, treas.;
William Lincoln, sec. The society opened rooms in Dr. Green's block.
Main street. In March, 1830, the society received the library of the
Worcester County Lyceum of Natural History. In the same month the
society was incorporated. Later, the library of the society was deposited
with the iVmerican Antiquarian Society, and it then ceased to be active.

Military Library Society. — The first public library in Worcester was
organized April 3, 1811, under an act of the legislature providing for

AND ITS PEOPLE 783

the creation and encouragement of a library designed for the military
inquiry and the diffusion of military knowledge. The resounding title,
"The Military Library Society in the Seventh Division," was adopted,
and Maj. Levi Lincoln, Jr., Lt. Gardner Burbank and Dr. John Green
appointed a committee to procure books. John W. Lincoln was the
librarian and clerk, June 24, 1812, and Dr. Green, Mr. Lincoln and Maj.
Isaac Sturtevant were made a committee to procure books. As to the
library, nothing exists to show that it amounted to anything. It prob-
ably contained a total of 33 books of a military character, afterward
deposited in the library of the Odd Fellows, mentioned elsewhere. In
1827 the Odd Fellows had 163 books.

Worcester Art Museum. — The Art Museum began with a meeting
called by Stephen Salisbury (3d) at his home, Feb. 25, 1896, attended by
about forty men and women interested in art. Mr. Salisbury announced
plans that he had made to establish an art museum, offering a tract of land,
more than an acre, on Salisbury street, and a fund of $100,000, half for the
erection of a building, the rest to be an endowment fund. On March 24,
1896, steps were taken to procure a charter. Mr. Salisbury planned for a
corporation of fifty to hold in trust the property given for the benefit of
all the people of the city of Worcester.

The first board of directors consisted of Daniel Merriman, pres. ;
Francis H. Dewey, vice-pres. ; T. Hovey Gage, Jr., sec; Lincoln N.
Kinnicutt, treas. ; Charles H. Davis, Lyman A. Ely, George E. Francis,
John G. Heywood, Thomas C. Mendenhall, Mrs. Helen B. Merriman,
Miss Mary Perley and Nathaniel Paine.

The architects of the building were Earle & Fisher of this city, and
Norcross Brothers were the contractors. In 1897 Mr. Salisbury gave
more land at the rear of the lot and at his own expense graded and laid
out the grounds. Subscriptions to the Art Museum in sums ranging
from three cents to $3,000 increased its funds by about $50,000. The
cornerstone was laid June 24, and Gov. Roger Wolcott and Mayor A.
B. R. Sprague made addresses. The building was formally opened May
10, 1898, with a loan exhibition of oil paintings and water-colors arranged
by the Worcester Art Society. This society made the first gift, a cast of
the Venus de Melos ; the Woman's Club presented a cast of Nike of
Samthrake ; and soon afterward a score or more casts were presented by
other organizations. The accessions grew from year to year. All
classes of the people took keen interest in the upbuilding of the collection
of paintings, statuary and other works of art. The society has a very
large collection of photographs, colonial silver, the Bancroft collection of
Japanese prints, old costumes, laces, pottery, etc. There is also a valu-
able library.

Rev. Austin S. Garver recently said : "It is difificult to assess the
value of the treasures of all kinds now in the Museum. In one sense they
are priceless. Perhaps half a million dollars would not be an excessive

M'^'^

AND ITS PEOPLE 7^5

prosaic estimate. Paintings constitute the most important part, many
of them of first rank, and altogether as choice a collection as can be found
anywhere."

The munificent legacy of Stephen Salisbury made this institution one
of the foremost in the country, as to endowment and resources. Other
contributions of money and works of art have continued since this
princely gift of about $2,750,000. The trustees in administering the gift
have taken into account all the expressed wishes of the doner and have
made various gifts to the city, the Woman's Club, and for other purposes
that Mr. Salisbury had in mind.

Raymond Wyer, of New York, a well equipped writer and lecturer
on art, succeeded Philip J. Centner as director, Jan. 1, 1918.

School of the Worcester Art Museum. — This was opened in 1898,
and during the first three years the instruction was limited to drawing
and painting. In 1901 design was introduced; in 1905 a class in metal
work. After the death of Stephen Salisbury, his residence came into
the possession of the Museum and was occupied by the metal and design
classes that had previously had quarters in the museum. Shops were
equipped and, since Sept. 23, 1907, the Salisbury mansion has been the
home of the school.

In September, 1908, weaving and bookbinding were added to the
courses of instruction. In the next year H. Stuart Muchie, then instruc-
tor in the George Washington University, was elected principal and
teacher of design. In 1912 pottery was added and George W. Greene
of Boston, chosen instructor. The glazing and firing are done on the
premises. Otto Victor Humann, teacher of drawing and painting, was
formerly instructor in the summer school of Columbia University. Grove
R. Branch is in charge of the metal work. There are also classes in mod-
eling. A slight charge for tuition in the day classes is made; all the
evening classes are free. Miss Elizabeth G. Marcy, instructor of book-
binding, studied her art under Cobden Sanderson in London and M. Do-
mont and M. Nouhlac in Paris. The school is designed to teach students
useful trades requiring special skill and gifts. Since 1914 architecture has
been taught, Miss M. Sawtelle being first lecturer on this subject. The
thorough work of the school has been demonstrated by the success of
its graduates in their work as teachers and artisans. Mr. Michie says:
"The aim of the school is not merely to assist the citizens of Worcester
and its surrounding towns to a better appreciation of the beauties of
art and nature, but to provide a thorough all round training for students
desirous of teaching art or of employing it for illustrations, advertising,
designing and crafts work, such as silversmithing, jewelry, pottery, book-
binding, etc. The school is not intended for the dilettante but for those
desirous of employing art in some form toward financial gain."
W.— 1-50.

786 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The trustees in 1918 are: Austin S. Garver, pres. ; Francis H.
Dewey, vice-pres.; Lincoln K. Kinnicutt, treas. ; Thomas H. Gage, clerk,
and Helen Bigelow Merriman, Frances M. Lincoln, Charlotte E. W.
Buffington, Frederick S. Pratt, Alfred L. Aiken, Paul B. Morgan, Frank
F. Dresser.

Worcester Art Students Club. — The organizers were Mrs. A. C.
Freeland, Miss Frances A. Knowlton, Miss Alice M. Fifield, Henry-
Woodward, George E. Gladwin, Charles S. Hale, Andrew O'Connor,
John A. Condy, Ward P. Delano, George H. Davis, Charles K. Hardy, W.
T. Perry, Charles B. Merritt and Norton L. Cook, at a meeting on March
24, 1880. The membership was limited to thirty "earnest students and
workers in some branch of art and design."

The first officers were : Pres., Henry Woodward ; \"ice-Pres.,
George E. Gladwin ; Sec, Charles S. Hale ; Treas., John A. Condy. The
first room of the club was in the Mutual Insurance Co. block. The
society was incorporated Jan. 13, 1887. The charter members were:
Charles S. Hale, Eben Harrington, Henry Woodward, William C. Ste-
vens, Abbie J.Trask, Anna C. Freeland, Jeanie Lea Southwick, Frances A,
Knowlton, George E. Gladwin and Francis E. Higgins. In 1889 rooms
were leased in the Walker building. The club outgrew the limit of thirty
very soon, and its membership grew rapidly after the limit was removed.

In 190-t the Arts and Crafts were recognized and soon became an
interesting and important section in the organization. The club consists
of earnest young men and women working in almost every branch of the
fine and applied arts. Classes have been maintained in clay, woodcarv-
ing, stencilling, leather tooling, basketry, etc., in later years. Painting,
water colors, crayon and other forms of art, including photography, have
been taught every year. The club received material assistance from the
Norton Company, from which it received the clay needed and for two
seasons the use of its kilns without cost. The St. Wulstan Society has
given the club an annual grant of money in recognition of its excellent
work. The coming of the Art Museum stimulated the work of the club
and extended its sphere of usefulness and study. The Art Museum has
exhibited the work of members of the club from time to time and given
it other assistance. The exhibitions of the club have always been attrac-
tive not only to lovers of art and artists but to the general public.

CHAPTER LI

Music and Drama — The Music Festival — Worcester Oratorio Society —

Friday Morning Club — Symphony Orchestra — Theatres —

Poli and His Theatres

The Music Festival. — In this Festival, Worcester is unique. No
other place in the world, it is said, has for more than sixty years with-
out interruption maintained an institution of this kind. In fact, the city
of Worcester is better known through its music festival than by any
other feature or institution. For years it has been the first important
musical event of the season in this country, if not the most important
outside of the three great cities of Boston, New York and Chicago. In
his historical sketch of the Festival in 1900, Walter Moody Lancaster,
the musical critic of the Spy, wrote what is just as true at the present
time :

Evidence of this eminence is found, first of all, in the eagerness with which sing-
ers seek a Worcester appearance. The high value set upon the festival as a professional
opening and opportunity is no meaningless flattery to provincial pride ; for European
singers of world-wide reputation cross the ocean solely that they may be heard in
Worcester ; and go back the following week to fulfill engagements in England or on
the Continent. Not a few American singers owe their present eminence to a fortu-
nate performance in Worcester, where they first made their artistic abilities known
to visiting managers, musicians and critics. No other festival is so liberally reported
by the press of the large cities. Among the thousands at the festival are music teach-
ers, professional singers and instrumentalists, drawn hither by the fame of the solo-
ists, the musical novelties presented, the great chorus or the great orchestra. To hun-
dreds this is the only opportunity for hearing large choral works given with complete-
ness and becoming dignity and instrumental masterpieces performed by one of the
most efficient orchestras in the world. No other festival draws its clientele from a
field broad enough to cover New England, the Middle States, Canada and the Mari-
time Provinces. Finally age lends prestige to the Worcester institution.

The music festival was a natural development of earlier musical
organizations here. The signing schools of colonial days and later,
encouraged the study of music and cultivated promising voices. The
musical conventions early in the nineteenth century developed the love of
music and extended the interest in music here and elsewhere. In this
field Edward Hamilton, B. F. Baker, E. H. Frost and A. N. Johnson were
pioneers, followed later by L. H. Sotithard, L. O. Emerson and Solon
Wilder. As a natural sequence came the choral societies. Before 1826
the Harmonic Society was organized, and it continued until about 1839.
The Sacred Music Society, the Mozart Society, the Beethoven Society,
the Choral Union and other organizations followed. William Sumner,
E. H. Frost, A. S. and B. D. Allen, E. N. Anderson and Seth Richards

788 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

were prominent as conductors with Dudley Buck and Carl Zerrahn for
short periods; Mrs. E. S. Dame, B. D. Allen, Mrs. A. H. Hammond, G.
W. Sumner, Messrs. Leland, Morrison, Tucker and Ingalls were pianists
and organists; G. P. Burt and C. C. Stearns, leaders of the orchestras.

In 1852 A. N. Johnson and E. H. Frost attempted to hold a musical
convention in Horticultural Hall, but the experiment was not a success.
The first Worcester festival was held in response to a circular issued by
Edward Hamilton and Benjamin F. Baker, on September 28, 29 and 30
and October 1, 1858. This convention, as it was called, was successful
enough to warrant another the following year.

In 1858 a cantata, "The Burning Ship," composed by the conductor,
Mr. Baker; selections from a hymn book compiled by Mr. Hamilton and
choruses from The Messiah and The Creation were sung. In 1860 there
were two formal concerts ; in 1866 there were four, one being an ora-
torio. In 1863 there were two festivals or conventions, one in the City
Hall, the other in Mechanics Hall, but the breach in the musical organi-
zation appears to have been healed soon. The section that held its fes-
tival in Mechanics Hall organized October 2, 1863, as the Worcester
County Musical Convention, and elected Samuel E. Staples president.
In 1866 this society adopted a constitution under which all who bought
tickets (fifty cents for singer and seventy-five for visitor) became mem-
bers of the convention. At the annual meeting October 26, 1871, the
present name, the Worcester County Musical Association, was adopted
and the annual gatherings designated as festivals. In 1879 the associa-
tion was incorporated, the charter members of the corporation being : A.
C. Munroe, I. N. Metcalf, W^illiam Sumner, J. Q. Adams, G. W. Elkins,
J, E. Benchley, Charles E. Wilder, Charles M. Bent and Daniel Downey,
all of Worcester; William R. Hill of Sutton, Israel Plummer of North-
bridge, and Rev. G. M. Howe of Princeton. Since then the corporation
has been small, the chorus having no voice in the management.

During the earlier years the festivals were profitable, the salaries
of the singers being modest and the other expenses low ; and the associa-
tion laid by a surplus that carried it through various seasons of deficits
in later years. In recent years the association has grown in financial
strength. Mr. Lancaster says :

For fifteen years it was a convention in fact as well as name. Its aims were neces-
sarily modest and the materials crude. In the early years, chorus and orchestra and
often soloists as well were volunteers and the rustic element predominant. There was
not even an organ for accompaniments till 1864, when a committee of citizens raised
a fund of $9,258 by popular subscription and presented the Mechanics Association with
an instrument that was then the largest in the country except that in Boston Music
Hall.

As the old conventions were in session forenoon, afternoon and evening for four or
five days, there was ample time for the much advertised discussion ; but rehearsals for the
public concerts were not neglected. At the close of the afternoon session there was a
social hour, an improvised concert (subsequently dignified with the name of matinee)

AND ITS PEOPLE 7^

when "contribution of vocal and instrumental music were expected and solicited from
members and also from solo artists." One by one the social hours expanded into
formal concerts which were once golden opportunities for local aspirants and for
debutantes from abroad; but in 1892 the last of the cheaper order of concerts passed
away, greatly to the relief of the managers and the increasing dignity of the festival.

The chorus is the mainstay of the festival, the cause of its existence; and the
credit of moulding it belongs first of all to Mr. Zerrahn, who served as conductor for
thirty-two years, coming here in 1866 and resigning after the festival of 1897. During
eleven years he was the sole conductor, but previous to 1897 he had direction of only
oratorios and similar works, while the church music, glees and smaller choruses were
intrusted to such men as W. O. Perkins, George F. Root, L. H. Southard, L. O.
Emerson and Dudley Buck, some of the most prominent leaders of the times, or to
responsible musicians of local repute, as Solon Wilder, C. C. Stearns, C. P. Morri-
son and B. D. Allen. From 1889 to 1891 Victor Herbert served as associate conduc-
tor, taking the orchestral music and accompaniments as his share of the burden. Since
then Franz Kneisel, Gustave Strube and Thaddeus Rich have been associates and the
forceful skill with which they have discharged their duties have materially enhanced
their fame in the country.

In the beginning there were no rehearsals outside of festival week, and subse-
quently only five outside, for the double reason that the managers could not afiford to
pay the conductor, and a majority of the five hundred chorus could not attend be-
cause they lived out of town. In course of time the attendance upon weekly and even
semi-weekly rehearsals was made compulsory during the winter, spring and fall.
Then it was that 375 country members showed their grit. Combining by towns or dis-
tricts for fifteen and even twenty miles around, they hired special conveyances to take
them to the rehearsals in Worcester and back the same night. For several seasons they
persevered in this energetic course ; but one by one they dropped away, so that nowa-
days in a chorus of rather less than 400 voices the suburban element is almost nil.

The year before Mr. Zerrahn came, The Creation was sung, and in
his first festival he presented Judas Maccabeus, repeating it the following
year. In 1868 the Creation was given with an orchestra of eighteen
pieces from Boston. Rossini's Stabat Mater was also on the program
that year. In 1869 the orchestra numbered twenty-five, and a few years
later was increased to sixty or more. The Boston Orchestral Union,
generally led by Carl Eichler, served from 1868 to 1873, when the Ger-
mania Orchestra was engaged, continuing until 1876. Since then with
the exception of the years 1915 and 1917 the Boston Symphony Orchestra
has furnished the instrumental music. In these two years 60 players from
the Philadelphia Orchestra were secured and are re-engaged for 1918.

Since 1878 two works requiring an entire evening for the perform-
ance of each have been undertaken. In that year Handel's L'Allegro
II Pensieroso and Mendelsshon's Elijah were sung. In 1881 three such
works as Verdi's Manzoni Requiem, Haydn's Creation and Elijah were
given and since 1884 three oratories have been presented regularly.

One of the features of former festivals was the singing of such clubs
as the Boston Philharmonic, the Mendelssohn Quintet, the Eicnberg
String Quartet; the English Glee Club of New York; the Temple Quar-
tet of Boston ; the Schubert Quartet ; the Schubert Concert Company ;

790 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

the Weber Male Quartet and the Uterpe Quartet; the Orpheus Club of
Springfield and the local German and Swedish singing- societies and
choirs.

In 1897 Mr. Zerrahn was succeeded by George W. Chadwick of Bos-
ton. In 1901 Mr. Chadwick was succeeded by Wallace Goodrich. In
1908 Dr. Arthur Niees of New York, was appointed conductor, a position
he still holds. Under his guidance the advancement of the society has
been steady and rapid. The list of choral works performed under
his leadership have been as follows: 1908, Caractacus, Elgar; 1909,
Missa Solennis, Liszt; Te Deum, Berleoz; 1910, Omar Khayyam, Bau-
tock; 1911, Missa Solennis in D, Beethoven; 1912, Ruth, G. Schumann;

1913, St. Francis of Assisi, Pierue; 1914, La Vita Nuova, Wolf-Ferrari;

1914, Te Deum, Bruckner; 1915, The Children's Crusade, Pierue; 1916,
Forty-Seventh Psalm, Schmitt; 191T, Marching Song of Democracy,
Grainger; Ode to Music, Hadley.

Here is a record for ten years that cannot be duplicated by any other
society in the United States, if indeed in the entire world.

The presidents of the association have been : Samuel E. Staples,
1863-73; William R. Hill of Sutton, 1874-86; Hon. Edward L. Davis,
1887-93; A. C. Munroe, 1895-96; Charles M. Bent, 1896-1902; Samuel
E. Winslow, 1903; Paul B. Morgan, 1904-07; WlUiam H. Cook, 1908-14;
Arthur J. Bassett, the present president, was elected in 1915. Officers
in 1917 were: J. Vernon Butler, vice-pres. ; H. R. Sinclair, sec.

Worcester Oratorio Society. — The following narrative is con-
tributed:

The Worcester Oratorio Society is the product of the musical intelligence and un-
tiring energy of John Vernon Butler, who in 1897 conceived that there was opportunity
and need in Worcester for the presentation of many choral works of the highest musi-
cal value not within the scope of the Musical Festival scheme. They were to be free
of charge, for the education and pleasure of music-lovers of all classes. Mr. Butler
had already given performances of short choral works with his chorus of forty voices,
and it was doubtless due to the public interest in these concerts that he was encouraged
to broaden his aims and ambitions. Inspired by the enthusiasm and sympathetic co-
operation of the late Dr. Carl Crisand, he therefore arranged for a chorus of seventy-
five voices to inaugurate this new "Free Oratorio" series.

After a few rehearsals the interest was so keen that the choir grew to 100 voices,
and with this number the first concert was given Nov. 23, 1897. The program was of
a miscellaneous character including Gaul's cantata Israel in the Wilderness, and the
following soloists appeared : Miss Elizabeth Pelton, soprano ; Miss Louise E. Shumway,
contralto; Dr. Paul Dufault, tenor; and Mr. Harry C. Robinson, bass. No admission
was charged, but a collection was taken to meet expenses. Pilgrim Church was crowd-
ed, and although a note on the program requested that the audience refrain from ap-
plause, their approval could not be restrained.

The second concert included The Last Judgment by Spohr, with the following so-
loists. Miss Mary Mansfield, of New York, soprano ; Mrs. May Sleeper Ruggles, con-
tralto ; Frank H. Mason, tenor ; and Chester T. Porter, bass. The church was again
crowded, and the collection taken amounted to ^73, sufficient evidence that the evening

AND ITS PEOPLE 79^

was fully enjoyed. Both works above mentioned received their first Worcester per-
formances at these concerts. The following year the chorus numbered 125 voices and
in 1899, when Handel's Messiah was given, it had grown to 140 voices.

With the engagement of soloists of prominence outside of Worcester, the collec-
tions taken at these concerts were insufficient to meet expenditures, and it became
necessary to reserve a limited number of seats at a small cost, admission still being free.
It was not until 1905 that the directors of these "Free Oratorio Concerts," Dr. Carl
Crisand, S. W. Wiley, D. B. Tucker, F. P. Knowles, J. M. Russell, Alfred Thomas, M.
J. Whittal, A. H. Stone, Dr. G. Stanley Hall and Chester T. Porter, moved by the
growth of the chorus, its greater musical proficiency and the fast widening field of the
work of the society, decided to give these concerts under the title of the "Worcester Ora-
torio Society." There have been but five changes in the personnel of the directors. Dr.
Crisand served as president 1905-11; Mr. Tucker was secretary and treasurer, 1905-06.
Mr. Porter succeeded Mr. Tucker, and served until 191 1, where he was elected presi-
dent on the death of Dr. Crisand. At that time Mr. Curtis and Mr. Spalding were
elected secretary and treasurer respectively.

All the concerts of the society were held in Pilgrim Church until 1906, when it was
voted to give the Christmastide performance of the Messiah in Mechanics Hall, with
full orchestral accompaniment. The chorus at this concert was made up of 200 voices.
The concert was a success in every way and proved the beginning of a custom which
has come to this city to stay.

In 1914, when Mr. Butler became organist and choirmaster at Union Church, it was
decided to hold all rehearsals as well as the opening concert of the season (the seven-
teenth) in the auditorium of the church. In an environment of architectural beauty
and dignity a very impressive performance of Horatio Parker's Legend of St. Christo-
pher was given, and the following year Gounod's Redemption was given there also. In
1916-17-18 all concerts have been given in Mechanics Hall, those of this season for the
benefit of the Worcester Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The list of choral works given by the society shows that not only have there been
produced many of the old standard oratorios, but also a good number of the more
modern choral compositions, some of which have received their first presentation in
Worcester and New England, if not, indeed in the country. The list is too lengthy for
reproduction here, but it includes various of the most famous works of Bach, Bee-
thoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Dubois, Gaul, Gounod, Handel, Haydn, Liszt, Mozart, Men-
delssohn, Rossini, Schubert, Sullivan, Spohr, and other masters. In these performances
have appeared many of America's most prominent soloists, and the list of names would
embrace practically all of note.

The society has had for accompanists Mrs. J. Vernon Butler, pianist, and Mr.
Charles H. Grout, organist, since the first concert in 1897 and to them must be credited
a generous share in the success of the society. Among the many who have given gen-
erous and efifective services must be mentioned J. Edward Bouvier, Charles E. Sar-
gent, Will H. Beaumont, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Marshall.

At the end of twenty-one years of service in the interest of choral music, the so-
ciety points with pride to the adequate presentation of thirty-eight major works and
many more minor compositions of the first rank, and with equal satisfaction to nineteen
annual performances of the Messiah before capacity houses. It notes also the intro-
duction to Worcester of many soloists who have achieved remarkable national success.

Its chorus mainly recruited in the beginning from the choir of Pilgrim Church
has been developed in the skilled hands of Mr. Butler into a grand choir of 250 voices,
which in perfect balance, in tonal beauty and in musical intelligence and appreciation,
will bear favorable comparison with the best choruses of New England.

To Mr. Butler, who has given unstintedly of his time, strength, thought and sub-
stance, Worcester owes more than it is likely to realize or acknowledge. The high char-
acter of the concerts both as to program and as to execution, the personal loyalty and

792

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

enthusiasm which the chorus has increasingly shown, the sustained interest of the pub-
lic in the society's efforts, all testify to the intelligence, the zeal, the character and the
broad public spirit of the conductor of the society. The society also records its great
debt to and its lasting affection for Dr. Carl Crisand. Keenly alive to all beauty, and
especially a lover of the best in music he had a pre-vision of and confidence in the fu-
ture strength and breadth of its work. Mr. Butler is the architect and builder of the
society. Dr. Crisand was his inspiring and never-failing helper.

The Friday Morning Club. — This was for thirty-one years a distinct
musical feature of Worcester, from its first meeting in 1883 to its last
in 1914, when, with its passing ended the existence of the oldest woman's
musical club in this country. The club was formed in November, 1883,
at the home of Miss Frances C. Morse, by Miss Morse, Mrs. Charles A.
Merrill, and Mrs. Henry A. Stinson. By its third meeting twelve ladies
had joined, and later the number was increased to twenty and limited
to thirty. The meetings were held at the different homes, fortnightly,
until 1896, when the scope of work was enlarged and an honorary mem-
bership formed of 100, afterwards increased to 250. There were fourteen
to sixteen recitals given during the season, some by active members and
others by well known artists, and many years operas studied, with expla-
nations and illustrations, in fact the club work was largely educational.
For many years four tickets were bought for the Symphony rehearsals in
Boston, and used by members. $100 was annually subscribed toward a
possible deficit of the Music Festival and many concerts were given for
various charitable purposes, though never for the benefit of the club,
which was sustained by membership fees entirely. At the time, in
1914, when the club corporation was dissolved, the club owned two Stein-
way pianos and a very valuable musical library. The latter, in its case,
was presented to the Free Public Library, the music to be given out from
the circulating department to music students. In 1914 but one of the
original members was still an active member, Miss Morse, and three who
were active in 1896, when the club was incorporated — Miss Mary L.
Starr, Mrs. H. F. A. Schmidt and Mrs. Frank A. Stimfson.

Worcester Symphony Orchestra. — The Worcester Symphony Or-
chestra was organized by Daniel Silvester in March, 1914, and has
already taken a prominent place among the musical organizations of the
city, its sixty members all skilled and experienced. Mr. Silvester is
leader of the orchestra of the Worcester Theatre and manager of the
Silvester Violin School. A society for the business management of the
orchestra was organized May 3, 1914. The officers are : W. A. Prouty,
pres. ; A. R. Chase, vice-pres. ; H. G. Taylor, sec; C. A. Thompson,
treas. ; Daniel Silvester, musical director, and Thomas Brown, librarian ;
William Mullen, Frank J. Chaffin, Charles A. May and Charles Walker,
directors.

The Worcester Symphony Society was organized May 3rd, 1914, to
control the Symphony Orchestra.

AND ITS PEOPLE 793

The name was copyrighted August 12, 191-i. The first public con-
cert was given with sixty pieces at Poli's Theatre, November 29, 1914,
for the benefit of the Belgian and British sufferers fund on account of the
European War, under the auspices of Prince Consort Lodge, Sons of St.
George.

Theatres. — Thirty years ago the late Nathaniel Paine wrote a chap-
ter in the county history entitled "The Drama in Worcester." The com-
ing of the motion picture in popularity and the multiplication of the the-
atres in recent years has made the word drama nearly obsolete. There
were fifty-six halls and theatres in the city in 1917. At a dozen or more
of these places moving pictures are given regularly or occasionally. At
the present time not more than one theatre has regular theatrical per-
formances. Occasionally first-class companies still appear at the Wor-
cester Theatre. Some excellent stock companies have been well sup-
ported at the old Franklin Theatre, now the Grand ; occasionally at the
Worcester during the past dozen years.

The theatre was tabooed by the early settlers. Dramatic exhibitions
were forbidden in this province in 1750, and the act was not repealed until
1794. In 1800 or soon afterward, English companies began to play in
four or five of the cities in this country. There were occasional amateur
performances in smaller places. In 1787 the play Cato was given here
by the pupils in the school. A company from Boston presented several
plays in June, 1797, in a hall over the school room.

The circus was more popular than the theatre early in the nineteenth
century. The first on record here was West's Circus, July, 1817, on a
lot between Front and Mechanic streets; another came in 1818 and
pitched its tents on the site of the Bay State House.

Traveling shows came here from time to time, but no theatrical com-
panies, as far as is known, until Dr. Robinson came with a play called
"The Reformed Drunkard," in 1846. The interest in temperance was
strong at that time, but the show evidently was not highly satisfactory,
as Robinson was refused a second permit for his play. Next year, how-
ever, a Boston company played in Brinley Hall for a fortnight or more.
Mrs. Vincent was in the casts. But at that time the Aegis wrote edi-
torials denouncing the theatre. Tableauz Vivants were presented by
W. B. English in Brinley Hall in 1848, and drew large houses, and his
company came again in 1849. In 1850 Charles C. D. Wilkinson, after-
ward manager of the Worcester theatre, made his first appearance on the
stage in Brinley Hall, and in 1851 he gave a series of plays here.

A hall in the Flagg Block provided better facilities for theatrical
performances, 1850-51, was called the Worcester Dramatic Museum,
and was managed later by Noah Gates. In 1852 there was vigorous
opposition to giving a license to the Museum, but the license was secured
and plays given from April 8 to June 18, 1852. Persons under eighteen
were excluded. In 1853 Denman Thompson came in a series of plays.

794 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Uncle Tom's Cabin had a strong run. Opposition to the theatre again
appeared at City Hall, but before the decision was made, Flagg's Block
was burned, January 29, 185-i.

The first theatre was built by William Piper, on Front street, and
opened February 9, 1857, under the management of Wyzeman Marshall
of Boston, with the play Ingomar. The season closed in May. Charles
C. D. Wilkinson was manager during the second season opening August
24, 1857; M. V. Lingham succeeded him in March, 1858, and in the fall
Jacob Barrow took charge, bringing out many standard plays with an
excellent stock company. The theatre was reopened March 28, 1859,
witli-George Pauncefort as manager, and during the summer was visited
by traveling companies. Myers Boniface managed the company in 1860;
William B. English later in the same year,

Charlotte Cushman played here in May, 1861, and in April Uncle
Tom's Cabin was played again. During the Civil War there were few
plays in the theatre. Laura Keene was here in June, 1863. In October
of that year John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Lincoln, appeared in
Richard III and Lady of Lyons. The last performance in the Front
Street Theatre was November 27, 1867, and the building was then
remodeled for offices.

The Worcester Theatre, on Exchange street, built by a stock com-
pany and called Music Hall, until 1873, was opened under the manage-
ment of J. B. Booth, March 9, 1869, with The Lady of Lyons. For
a dozen years the theatre was controlled by the proprietors of the Bos-
ton Theatre. Excellent performances were given. Mrs. Siddons was
here in 1870; the elder Sothern in 1873; John E. Owens, Wyzeman
Marshall, J. W. Wallack, Mr. and Mrs. Florence, Frank Mayo, Patti,
Signor Mario, Lester Wallack, Bernhardt, Lotta, Edwin Booth and other
famous artists were here in the seventies.

In 1882 Mr. Wilkinson became manager, and for the first time mat-
inees were given. The building was remodeled in 1882. About this
time Henry Irving, Joseph Jefferson, Lawrence Barrett, Denman Thomp-
son, Edwin Booth, Wilson Barrett, Charles Wyndham, J. T. Raymond,
Modjeska, Salvini, E. A. Sothern, Frank Mayo, Mary Anderson, Fanny
Davenport, Margaret Mather, Fanny Janauschek, Rosina Vokes, Mrs.
Langtry and other famous actors appeared here.

After the death of Mr. Wilkinson, March 2, 1888, his widow con-
tinued as manager for two years. The theatre was burned in 1889 and
the present structure erected on the old site.

An annual event at this theatre since the Civil War has been the
amateur production of The Drummer Boy for the benefit of Post 10,
G. A. R.

Before the days of motion pictures, Worcester was visited by the
best theatrical companies and from 1890 until 1910 the Worcester Thea-

AND ITS PEOPLE 795

tre was well supported. During the season the theatre was seldom
dark.

It is proper to mention here William Charles White, player, poet,
advocate and editor. (See Lincoln p. 302). In 1796 he had written
Orlando, a tragedy that became widely popular. In the same year he
played in Boston, and in 1797 appeared in several plays, and for a time
was the chief attraction on the Boston stage. In July, 1797, he became a
student in Levi Lincoln's law office here, was later admitted to the bar,
and began to practice in Providence. He returned to the stage ; returned
to the law in 1801 with an office in Rutland ; compiled law books in Bos-
ton afterward; was county attorney, 1811-18; lived here from 1816 until
he died. May 2, 1818. He was a frequent contributor to the Aegis; he
published various pamphlets and wrote many plays.

Poli and His Theatres. — The new era in theatrical history began
with the opening of the original Poli Theatre. The patrons of the
theatre prior to that time were divided between the well-to-do who
patronized the Worcester Theatre exclusively; those who went to the
vaudeville shows in the Front Street Opera House, later called the Bijou,
(see biog. J. E. OfTner) (now the Park Theatre), and those who pre-
ferred the melodramatic and sensational plays by traveling companies
at the Lothrop's Opera House, Pleasant street, erected a dozen years
before by R. C. Taylor, and now known as the Pleasant Theatre.

S. Z. Poli bought the Crompton Block, Mechanic street, after it was
gutted by fire, March, 1905. He remodeled into a theatre opened an
entrance on Front street, making what was at that time one of the finest
theatres in the State. He presented the best of vaudeville, and won the
hearty support of the public here, as he had done elsewhere.

When the Worcester Amusement Company, which had bought the
old Lincoln house and begun to erect a theatre on the site, suspended
operations on account of disagreement among stockholders, Mr. Poli
bought the property, finished the theatre even more attractively than the
other, and gave it his name. The old Poli Theatre then became the
Plaza. About this time the motion picture became a feature of the
Poli bills. Since 1912, when the Elm street house was opened, it has
been devoted chiefly to vaudeville, while the Plaza has been used some-
times by stock companies, sometimes as a vaudeville house, and some-
times partly vaudeville and partly motion pictures. The Elm Street
Poli Theatre is the largest in the city, seating 2,800 persons. He also
purchased the Franklin Theatre (now the Grand) of the Taylor estate.
This theatre has been since that time the home of Poll's stock com-
panies nearly every year. At other times it has been in various circuits of
traveling companies. Lovers of the sensational drama are given an
opportunity to see the best of this class of plays. Where others had
failed, Mr. Poli has had crowded houses. Though he has three large
theatres in this city, he has made all of them very profitable.

796 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The Strand Theatre, opened in 1916, is located between Front and
Mechanics streets. Though mainly devoted to moving pictures, it also
presents some vaudeville. It is one of the largest and best-appointed
theatres of its class in the State. From the beginning it has had its
capacity tested to the limits at almost every performance. Most of the
other theatres, now devoted to moving pictures, have been located in
old buildings. Some are merely stores altered for the purposes. The
Royal Theatre occupies the old quarters of the Worcester Market; the
Court Theatre near Lincoln Square was erected at the rear of an old
building.

CHAPTER LII

Congregational Churches — Old South — Central — Salem Street — Union

Church — Memorial Church — Plymouth — Piedmont — Pilgrim —

Adams Square — Park — Hope — Lake View — Bethany —

Greendale — Hadwen Park — Tatnuck —

Congregational Club

Old South Church. — The following narrative is condensed from the
Worcester Magazine of June, 1916 :

In observing the bi-centennial of the foundation of Old South Church, Worcester
observed one of the iew institutions that have survived from the beginning of the
town history. This church was formerly the Worcester meeting house. The church,
in fact, was the organization. It was not good form in the early days to call the build-
ing a church.

/l/iDf-

OLD SOUTH CHURCH.

Though the first meeting house was not erected until 1719, the inhabitants of Wor-
cester formed a religious organization in 1716. In the previous year doubtless there
were gatherings on Sunday in the larger houses, and preaching by visiting ministers.
Until 1715, Jonas Rice, who came in 1713, was the only inhabitant. Gershom Rice, his

798 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

brother, and others came in 1715. The services were held in the house of Gershom
Rice, later in the house of James Rice, near the corner of Franklin and Green streets.
In 1719, the first meeting house was built on the present site of the City Hall, and the
first minister, Rev. Andrew Gardner, was called. Some historians maintain that an
earlier meeting house was built in 1717 near the house of James Rice. The town voted
the minister a settlement of i6o, and an annual salary of £40. Daniel Heywood and
Nathaniel Moore were elected deacons. It is estimated that there were then in the set-
tlement 300 souls.

Rev. Andrew Gardner, the first minister, was a native of Brookline (Muddy River)
and graduated from Harvard College in 1712. His pastorate was short. A schism in
1721 proved to be serious, and he was dismissed October 21, 1722. During the next
three years the church had no settled minister. Rev. Shearjashub Bourne declined a
call in 1724.

In 1719, Rev. Edward Fitzgerald preached to the little Presbyterian congregation in
the garrison house at the junction of the Boston and Lancaster roads. "Very soon
they began to build a house of worship for themselves; but while it was in process of
erection, a body of the inhabitants assembled by night and demolished the structure."
They made no further attempt to build a church, but worshipped in the first church and
soon many of them occupied places of leadership in the parish. The Presbyterians in
Worcester withdrew from the church for a few years, under the pastorate of Rev.
William Johnson, but finally returned to the First Church. From 1720 to 1730 the
Scotch-Irish were nearly as numerous as the rest of the inhabitants of the town. A
considerable part of them moved to Rutland, Barre, Pelham, Palmer, Athol, Lunen-
burg and other towns, but religious differences had little if anything to do with their
going. It is fair to recognize the important part taken by the Scotchmen in the found-
ing and upbuilding of the First Church. The old lists of pew owners show how sub-
stantial a part of the congregation they must have been.

Rev. Isaac Burr was installed pastor of the First Church October 13, 1725. A
long and quiet ministry followed. His relations with his parishioners were cordial. He
was voted a salary of £80, and a settlement of £200. During his pastorate the famous
George Whitefield came to Worcester and preached on the Common October 15, 1740.
A controversy arose between the followers of the Whitefield and the more conservative
of the congregation, and Air. Burr's health failed under the strain of the dissension.
He was dismissed at his own request in March, 1745. Mr. Burr was a son of Thomas
Burr of Hartford, where he was born in 1698. He graduated from Yale College in
1717, and died at Windsor, Conn., in 1751.

The town next made choice of Rev. Nathaniel Gardner as pastor, but he declined
the call. In 1746 a covenant was adopted. The famous Rev. Jonathan Mayhew and
Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty were candidates, and each preached a month. The choice of
the congregation was Mr. Maccarty and he was installed June 10, 1747. A house with
about two acres of land on the Common southeast of the meeting house was purchased
for a parsonage and in 1765 this property was deeded to the minister. The property
was recovered from his heirs, fifty years later, after a lawsuit, but again relinquished by
the parish. His ministry covered a period of nearly forty years, including the Revolu-
tionary War. He died July 20, 1784, aged 63 years. During his ministry a new meet-
ing house was erected in 1763 on the Common.

When Mr. Maccarty had grown old and his health failed, Rev. Aaron Bancroft
filled his place for two months, and when Mr. Maccarty died, Mr. Bancroft was again
called to the pulpit. His preaching caused a division in the parish. Those who wanted
Mr. Bancroft for minister brought his name before a town mefeting, but they were in
a minority. Defeated in their purpose to have a call extended, a voluntary association
was formed and the Second Church (now the First Unitarian) was formed, having
Mr. Bancroft for pastor. He was ordained February i, 1786. The second parish was
known as a "poll parish," the first of its kind in the state.

AND ITS PEOPLE 799

After the seceders left, Rev. Daniel Story was called by the First Church and
preached for two years. He was unsatisfactory to the conservatives, his preaching be-
ing tainted with Arminian sentiment, and he was never installed formally. He was
born in Boston, July 29, 1756, graduated from Dartmouth in 1780 and died at Marietta,
Ohio, in 1804. He was an uncle of the eminent Judge Joseph Story of the United
States Supreme Court.

After six tumultuous years, Rev. Samuel Austin, D. D., of New Haven, was in-
stalled September 29, 1790. A new creed and covenant were adopted of the strictest
orthodox type. Dr. Austin was a soldier in the Revolution, a graduate of Yale in
1784. He published the first complete edition of the works of the elder Rev. Jonathan
Edwards. He was one of the founders of the General Association of Massachusetts
and of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society. He served often on church coun-
cils; many of his sermons were published. At the end of a quarter of a century in
this parish he was elected president of the University of Vermont, but continued nom-
inally as minister until 1818. From 1821 to 1825 he was pastor of the Newport, R. I.,
church, then he returned to Worcester. Lincoln's history of Worcester gives a list of
thirty-three of his publications.

Rev. Charles A. Goodrich was elected colleague of Dr. Austin and ordained Octo-
ber 9, 1816, becoming the minister in 1818. During his pastorate another division in
the church resulted in another secession and the organization of the Calvinist or Cen-.
tral Church. After his resignation, November 14, 1820, on account of ill health, Mr.
Goodrich became a compiler of school text-books.

Rev. Aretius Hull, the next minister, was born in Woodbridge, Conn., in 1788,
graduated in 1807 at Yale, where he was tutor six years, and was settled in Worces-
ter May 22, 1821. He died May 17, 1826, and was succeeded by Rev. Rodney Augustus
Miller, who was ordained June 7, 1827. During the seventeen years of his pastorate
more than 400 joined the church. He was a graduate of Union College in 1821 and of
Princeton Seminary. He was dismissed April 12, 1844. He died at Troy, N. Y., Sep-
tember 29, 1876, aged 79 years. Mr. Miller was the first president of the first Temper-
ance Association ever formed in Worcester ; was for some years one of the overseers
of Harvard University. Rev. George Phillips Smith, a graduate of Amherst, 1835, was
installed March 19, 1845, and died at Salem, while pastor, September 3, 1852.

Rev. Horace James, a graduate of Yale, was installed February 3, 1853. He was
chaplain of the 25th Massachusetts in the Civil War, and at his own request was dis-
missed as pastor January 8, 1863. He died in Worcester, June 9, 1875.

Rev. Edward Ashley Walker, a graduate of Yale in 1856, student in Heidelberg
and Berlin, Germany, chaplain of the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, was installed
July 2, 1863, but his health failed soon, and he died April 10. 1866. During his ministry,
September 22, 1863, the hundredth anniversary of the building of the meeting house
was appropriately celebrated, Hon. Ira M. Barton and Dr. Leonard Bacon being the
principal speakers.

Rev. Royal B. Walker was pastor from January 2, 1867, to April 25, 1872. Rev.
William M. Parry of Nottingham, Eng., was called but was never installed. His resig-
nation was not accepted, but he left the pastorate, taking with him nearly 150 mem-
bers, who formed what was called the Tabernacle Church. A church council declined
to install Mr. Parry, but the congregation continued services until his death. Rev.
Nathaniel Mighill, a graduate of Amherst, was installed September 25, 1875, died June
15. '^877- He officiated at the exercises celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence. Rev. Louis Bevier Voorhees, a graduate of Princeton
and Andover, was installed June 15, 1877, but three years later, on account of illness,
was obliged to resign.

During the pastorate of Rev. Joseph F. Levering, who was installed Alay 5, 1880,
the city took possession of the church property and in 1887 the old meeting house was
demolished. The cornerstone of the present structure was laid July 4, 1888, and the

8oo HISTORY OF WORCESTER

first services held January 30, 1889, though the auditorium was not occupied until Sep-
tember 17, 1889. During the interim, services were held in Association Hall. The
pastorate of Mr. Lovering closed July 3, 1890.

The building of the new church marked the beginning of a new era in the life of
the First Church. The church was fortunate in finding a pastor of genius peculiarly
adapted to the conditions and gifted with the eloquence and magnetism that attracts
new members to his congregations. Rev. A. Z. Conrad began his pastorate October 28,
1890. He organized the activities of the church until he had a place of usefulness for
every member. The membership grew three-fold; the church debt was paid. The
twelve years under Dr. Conrad were a period of great expansion and development.
Owing to ill health he was obliged to resign, April 18, 1902.

From October 19, 1902, to May 6, 1906, Rev. Dr. Francis J. Van Horn was the
pastor. He was a gifted preacher, and during his pastorate the church continued in
growth and prestige, and added to his mission work. In May, 1903, Rev. John H.
Matthews began his work as assistant pastor.

Rev. Edward P. Drew, the present pastor, has been able to maintain the high stand-
ing of the Old South pulpit, and "Old South" today ranks as the largest Congregational
church in New England and the sixth in point of membership in the United States.

In celebration of the completion of two hundred years of history, the week of May
,22-29, 1916, was devoted to appropriate exercises and services. Beginning Sunday,
May 21, Rev. Dr. Edward P. Drew, the pastor, preached an historical sermon, and in
the evening Rev. Dr. Van Horn preached. On Tuesday evening a reception and ban-
quet were held. There was an interesting exhibition of articles of historic interest in
charge of Edwin H. Marble. At the banquet William F. Little was toastmaster. Among
the speakers were: George E. Duffy, who gave to the parish a large American flag;
Charles W. Gray, George R. Bliss, William I. Thompson, Miss Mary Ella Whipple,
George B. Farnsworth, Deacon H. H. Merriam, W. M. Spaulding, and Genery Stevens.
In a union service of all the Congregationalists of the city on Wednesday, Rev. Dr.
Shepherd Knapp spoke on "The Development of Congregationalism in Worcester,"
and Rev. Dr. Rockwell Harmon Porter, of the Center Church, Hartford, on "The Mis-
sion of the Meeting House."

The most spectacular part of the celebration was on Thursday evening when a his-
torical pageant was given in Tuckerman Hall, designed to present to the eye and ear
old customs of daily life, church and community. Eight episodes were enacted in cos-
tume, entitled "John Eliot preaching to Indians and Settlers on Pakachoag Hill,
1674;" "A Gathering for Worship in the Meeting House;" "Discipline of Members;"
"The Tory Town Clerk, 1774;" "Reading the Declaration of Independence from the
Porch of Old South Meeting House, July, 1776;" "The Pastoral Visit;" "The Spin-
ning Wheel;" "The Flag-raising." Miss Bertha L. Muzzy was in charge of the
pageant.

On Friday evening there was an interdenominational reception. Alayor George M.
Wright represented the city. The visiting clergymen who spoke were : Rev. Dr. Vin-
cent E. Tomlinson, Rev. A. S. Garver, Rev. Dr. Edward B. Simmons, Rev. Dr. Lewis
G. Morris, Rev. Charles A. Fisher, Rev. Harry Minnick, and Rev. Francis A. Poole.
The concluding services were on Sunday, May 29, when Rev. Dr. A. Z. Conrad preached
in the morning and the oratorio "Elijah" was rendered in the evening.

The most enduring memento of the eventful week was an illustrated pamphlet giv-
ing a brief history of the church and its ministers, a list of the deacons, the officers of
the church. Each of the organizations within the church is described and their history
sketched. The final article is a history of music in the Old South Church. A tabulated
report of the membership from 1848 to 1915 shows a growth from 322 to 1520. During
that period 3556 members were on the rolls of the church. A list of the present mem-
bers of the church, resident and non-resident will be of a great value. The compila-
tion of the book required a vast amount of research and labor and reflects great credit

AND ITS PEOPLE 8oj

on the committee in charge. Deacon Henry H. Merriam was chairman of the Bi-
centennial Committee and Allan B. Miller, secretary.

The present membership of the First Church is more than 1500.
The growth and development of the Sunday school has been steady,
and the membership is now over 1200, with a working staff of 125. Mr.
Morris M. Edgar is superintendent. The adult department has a mem-
bership of 265, and one of the teachers, Deacon H. H. Merriam, has
served for fifty years ; another, Jeremiah Winn, more than thirty years.
William I. Thompson is superintendent of the senior department; Frank
E. Drury of the intermediate, and Miss Louise K. Sprague of the junior
department, organized in 1903; Miss Mildred L. Bacon of the kinder-
garten, organized in 1893. The Home Department, both for adults and
children, was organized in May, 1896; Mrs. J. W. Ewing is at present
acting as superintendent. The "Cradle Roll" is now in charge of Mrs.
Thomas W. Thomson; it was organized about 1906, and Mrs. Everett S.
Eddy was the first superintendent. Miss Maude Jacobs is superinten-
dent of the Children's Home Department, organized by Bertha Chase
in 1913.

The women organized in August, 1864, the Worcester Female As-
sociation, the name of which was soon changed to the Ladies' Missionary
Association, and continued under that name until 18T1. In 1886 the
missionary society was revived.

Even earlier the Ladies' Benevolent Society was formed to aid needy
families and manage the church social affairs. The two organizations
were united October 10, 1904, under the name. The Woman's Association
of Old South. In addition to varied other activities, the society raised
$10,000 for the payment of the building debt. Mrs. H. W. Cobb is pres-
ident, 1917-18. ■•''■

The Men's Union, organized October 22, 1896, for social purposes
and the support, of the church, has had many delightful banquets,
instructive and entertaining lecture courses. The presidents have been :
Edward R. Goodwin, Dr. Julius Garst, Otis R. Parker, Geo. B. Farns-
worth,, Dana J. Pratt, Geo. R. Bliss, Edgar E. Thompson, Wallace A.
Corey, Geo. D. Barber, Dr. Henry P. Cooke, Oliver M. Dean, Geo. K.
Tufts, Jno. M. Kendall, Dr. Philip H. Cook, Leon. G. Fairchild,. Chas.
E. Goodrich, Frederic L. Stone, Jos. B. Howe and Allie K. Gannon. The
membership is 150.

The Christian Fellowship League, founded in 1908, is an organiza-
tion for adults similar in purpose to the Y. P. S. C. Ira A. Adams is
president (1917).

The Yjoung People's Society of Christian Endeavor of Old South
was one of the first of this organization, founded in 1882.' Arthur E.
Gray was the first president. A second society was formed in 1896,
when the new church was occupied, called the Second Society, but the

W.-I-5I.

802

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

^^K

CENTRAL CHURCH.

^c;i

^&5^^S

OLD CENTRAL CH13RCH, MAIN STREET.

AND ITS PEOPLE 803

two were merged afterward. Howard M. Pomeroy president in 1917.
In 1893 the Intermediate Y. P. S. C. E. was organized, the first of its
kind, Emma D. Gates being superintendent. The Junior Society was
organized in 1891 by Rev. Dr. Conrad. Miss NeUie Jerome was the
first superintendent.

The society known as the Little Light Bearers was organized about
1895 by Mrs. Edward Jerome as an auxiliary mission society. Mrs. Ev-
erett W. Durgin is the present superintendent.

Other Old South organizations of recent date are the Boy Scouts,
the Go-to-Church Band, the Camp Fire Girls, the Altruria Club, formed
March 6, 1903, by Mrs. Herbert E. Chandler; the Olds Club, organized
in 1903 by Mrs. L. O. Whiteman to assit the work in Japan ; the Rho
Kappa Society, organized in 1910, previously known as the Sunshine
Band, to assist the work of Mrs. Rachel Coan Felt in India and for local
charity work. The Sigma Club of young girls was formed for the same
purpose as the Rho Kappa. The Norwegian department is mentioned
in the sketch of the Norwegian people.

Central Church. — The following historical narrative is by Mr. U.
Waldo Cutler:

Central Church, first called the Calvinist Church, originated in a violent and long-
continued dii^erence of opinion in the mother church of Worcester. Individual liberty-
over against responsibility to the existing order had asserted itself in the world of
men many times before this trouble began, in 1816, and has asserted itself many times
since; but patience and judicious counsel and common-sense then, as always, have
brought peace in the end. Ever since the final reconciliation, in 1827, there has been
the best of good feeling between the first two Congregational churches here.

The new church attained to definite and duly recognized standing through an ec-
clesiastical council, held August 16-17, 1820, of which Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D.,
of Franklin, was moderator. For nearly a year and a half religious services were main-
tained, without parish organization or regular minister, chiefly at the home of Dea.
David Richards, in what was known as Conference Hall, near where the Government
Post Ofiice building now stands. In the spring of 1822 the Calvinist Parish was formed,
and on April 3 regular public services were begun in the County Court House, Rev.
Thos. F. Murdock and others acting as supply.

At that time, besides the original First Church, long housed on the historic spot
at the head of the Common, only two other ecclesiastical organizations existed in
Worcester. For a generation the Second Parish (First Unitarian) had been main-
taining its religious center on Summer street, near Lincoln Square, and for ten years
the First Baptist had been holding services at Salem Square. Central is, then, the
fourth in age among the one hundred and eleven or more churches and synagogues
making up the ecclesiastical system of the present city.

Among the come-outers from the Old South in 1820, was Daniel Waldo, whose
name is among the most honorable in Worcester's earlier history. He had already
served as one of the twelve Massachusetts delegates to the famous Hartford Con-
vention of 1814, and was firmly established in his profitable business on Main street,
north of George, and firmly established, also, in the confidence and regard of his fel-
low-citizens. He was. able and ready to give financial help to the new North End
movement, and on October 15, 1823, the Calvinist Church was able to move out from
the Court House into the $14,000 meeting-house that Daniel Waldo had built for it, on

8o4 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

his own land next to his store. On the same day the first pastor, Rev. Loammi Ives
Hoadly, from Andover Seminary, was ordained and installed, Dr. Lyman Beecher
preaching the sermon. Three years later, in 1826, the church property was legally made
over to the trustees of the Calvinist Society. A later gift of $5000 from the same
benefactor further established what we now know as Central Church on its long career.
Additions to the early building were soon and repeatedly necessary, down to the time
for leaving the old building for the new, in 1885, when the sale of the Daniel Waldo
foundation provided a substantial part of the sum needed for the new venture near
Armory Square.

The records show Mr. Hoadly's salary to have been $800 without provision for a
vacation. Aside from the income from the Waldo fund, the expenses were met through
sale and rental of pews and a tax upon the membership, the wealthy Waldo and Salis-
bury families representing about three-fifths of the required amount, till Mr. Waldo's
death in 1845.

For some years the social work of the church was all carried on in a "vestry,"
owned by Mr. Waldo, on the north side of Thomas street, next the Blackstone Canal.
In 1842, however, he built a chapel to take the place of this, on the site of the present
Swedish Methodist Church, at what is now the corner of Thomas and Commercial
streets.

Like so many other clergymen of earlier generations in New England churches,
Mr. Hoadly was firmer in his doctrine and in gracious pulpit and parish helpfulness
than in health, and in 1829 he asked dismission, though he lived on through many
more years of varied usefulness, dying at the age of 93.

Later pastors have been successively : Rev. John S. C. Abbott, 1830-35 ; Rev. David
Peabody. 1835-38; Rev. Seth Sweetser. D. D., 1838-78; Rev. Henry E. Barnes, asso-
ciate pastor, 1874-76; Rev. Daniel M-erriman, D. D., 1878-1900; Rev. Leon D. Bliss, as-
sistant pastor, 1889-91; Rev. Edward M. Chapman, associate pastor, 1892-99; Rev. Al-
bert W. Hitchcock, Ph. D., 1900-07 ; Rev. Shepherd Knapp, D. D., 1908 — . All these
have been able men, whose services have by no means been limited to the years or the
duties of the Worcester pastorate. Mr. Abbott became widely known as a popular and
gifted author. Air. Peabody, a rare personality, died early as professor of rhetoric in
Dartmouth College. It was during his pastorate that, in 1836, the first organ was placed
in the church, in the gallery over the Alain street entrance. Dr. Sweetser, toward the
end of his long and distinguished term of service in church and community, was re-
lieved from active responsibilities, partly through the settlement of Rev. Henry E.
Barnes, as associate pastor.

Early in the term of Dr. Alerriman, the name Calvinist was changed to Central
Church and Society in Worcester, it being a mistake, as he said, "to emphasize the
mischievous fact of sect by giving the name of a man or of a theological system to a
Christian church." A little later in the same pastorate the project of erecting a new
and more useable centre for the varied activities of a live modern church was con-
ceived and with marked success carried out, largely through the practical efficiency,
artistic talent and skill, wide experience and financial co-operation of Dr. and Airs.
Merriman. Upon resigning the active pastorate, in 1900, Dr. Alerriman was made
pastor emeritus.

Under the zest of new and more attractive quarters the membership of the church
more than doubled in a few years. Three years after the new church was finished the
Central Church parsonage was built, on the adjoining lot, fronting on Institute Road.
In less than a decade the debt on the whole church property was extinguished, and
the coming into the new section of the city of important public buildings and very
many new homes soon justified the selection of the corner of Institute road and Salis-
bury street as a strategic position for the renewed life of Daniel Waldo's church enter-
prise.

AND ITS PEOPLE 805

Of the most recent pastors, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Bliss and Mr. Chapman withdrew to
important pastorates elsewhere. Dr. Hitchcock died far too soon, almost at the begin-
ning of what promised to be great usefulness in Worcester. During the pastorate
still current many important steps have already been taken looking toward a better
organized, more effective church life in the new age than even that of the first century
of its history, now drawing to an end. In this connection it should be noted that in
1917, the church was incorporated, and the parish as such passed into inactivity.

While still in the old Main street building, the Central Mission Board was estab-
lished for the better exercise of the local benevolences. From 1876 to 1903, Miss Sarah
Cummings was the beloved church missionary and parish visitor. This office was later
merged into that of pastor's assistant, ably filled between 1905 and 1913 by Miss
Ethel M. Shepard, and more recently by Miss Annie M. Hanchett.

Twelve years after the starting of the first real Sunday School in America, in
Beverly, Mass., in 1810, the Central Church Sunday school was under way. At least
there is an unsigned statement to that effect enclosed among the church records. This
bears the date April 7, 1822. The earliest formal record, of August 31, 1827, states
that Purly Torrey was elected superintendent and Parley Goddard and Samuel Tay-
lor were chosen Sunday school directors. During the pastorate of Mr. Abbott the
organization of the church school was advanced materially. The first mention of a
Sunday school library is under the year 1831, though it was then apparently no new
feature of the work. In 1840 the church passed a vote that the superintendent should
be chosen annually. In 1841 action was taken relative to gathering colored children
into the Sunday school, a year before the vote of the church denouncing slavery. In
1846 female members of the church were allowed to vote in electing Sunday school
officers.

Since the first superintendent, above mentioned, the office has been filled by the
following in succession: Simon S. Gates, 1833-38; Henry Wheeler, 1838-40; Geo. W.
Russell, 1840-43; Rodolphus B. Hubbard, 1843-46; Simon S. Gates, 1846-50; Wm. R.
Hooper, 1850-51; John H. Brooks, 1851-54; Geo. H. Estabrook, 1854-56; David Whit-
comb, 1856-60; James K. Lombard, 1860-63; David Whitcomb. 1863-4; HAiry M.
Wheeler, 1864-67 ; Henry Griffin, 1867-69 ; Chas. O. Thompson, 1869-73 ; Geo. I. Alden,
1873-75 ; Nathan F. Heard, 1875 ; Jos. W. Fairbanks, 1875-77 ; Geo. E. Mackintire, 1877-
83 ; John C. Woodbury, 1883-87 ; James Logan, 1887-88 ; Geo. L. Sanford, 1888-89 ; Rev.
Leon D. Bliss, 1889-91; John S. Brigham, 1891-95; U. Waldo Cutler, 1895-98; Clinton
Alvord, 1898-00; D. M. Wheeler, 1900-03; John C. Woodbury, 1903-04; Clarence W.
Hobbs, 1904-11; Arthur D. Butterfield, 1911-12; Edwin G. Norman, 1912-15; Chas. F.
Fuller, 1915-.

Almost from the beginning the women of Central Church have met for mission-
ary and social activities. Such meetings were at first held often in the Waldo home,
which stood near the present site of Mechanics Hall, and the three sisters of Daniel
Waldo were the leaders in all womanly activities, and generous in their support. A
definite organization was first formed at Dr. Sweetser's house on November 21, 1839.
Mrs. Sweetser was chosen president, and Miss Urania Woodward was the first secre-
tary. This was called the Centre Missionary Circle, and fortnightly meetings were held
in homes of the members, for benevolent work and social intercourse. The records
show a large amount of good accomplished both at home and abroad. This early so-
ciety for women continued, under changed names and with varied responsibilities,
that were often shared with other societies as they were from time to time thrown off
from the original nucleus, down to 1894, when all woman's work in the church was
reassembled under one organization with co-operating departments, — The Woman's
Association. The list of presidents of the older society previous to 1894 included such
names as Mesdames Emory Banister, S. P. Miller, Samuel Banister, William H. San-
ford, George H. Estabrook, Charles E. Stevens, Martin Lathe, Thomas H. Gage, George
W. Russell, Fred J. Barnard, E. A. Summer, John S. Brigham, R. B. Fowler, J. H.
Robinson, Miss Georgie Bacon.

go5 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Among other organizations in the extensive Central Church system has been the
Handicraft Society, started in 1883 to give substantial aid to the building fund. It is
still active as opportunity for its special form of service offers. Its first officers were:
Mrs. Daniel Merriman, president ; Mrs. George L. Brownell, treasurer ; Aliss Charlotte
B. Cheever (later Mrs. William J. Tucker), secretary.

The Children's Charitable Society, organized in 1864 for the purpose of training
children in work for others, was continued by The Captains of Ten and its sister so-
ciety, The Heart and Hand. The former of these was followed by the Central Church
Cadets, in 1887. Out of these boys' organizations and the later Boys' Club emerged the
present church troop of Boy Scouts of America. The Heart and Hand, as the church
sewing school, is still an important feature of the work for little girls.

The social activities of the young people were early centralized in the Young Peo-
ple's Guild, among the various departments of which the Literature Department was
the most active. As successor to this the Study Club was started, in 1904, and is still
doing good work by furnishing incentive to thoughtful discussion of books and matters
of the higher life. A Christian Endeavor Society, in 1887, grew out of the less formal
Young People's Meeting. In 1906 all the activities of the young people were merged
into the present Young People's Association.

For many years George W. Mackintire has been treasurer of the church, and Rev.
Robert A. Hume, D. D., has been supported as foreign missionary pastor since 1900.
Since 1910 the church has issued annually a Year Book, containing a review of the
previous year's activities, a calendar of church events for the year to follow, the list of
officers in the various departments, etc. A Central Church Brotherhood has recently
been formed among the men in any way connected with the work of the parish. For
seven years, from 1887 to 1894, Edward N. Anderson was choir master, and did very
much to establish the musical interests of Central Church on a high plane. With the
exception of one year, Mr. Charles H. Grout has been the constant and efficient or-
ganist since April, 1887.

The deacons from the beginning have been as follows: David Richards, 1820-29;
Samuel Taylor, 1824-64; John Coe, 1830-46; Simon S. Gates, 1846-61; Estes H. San-
ford, 1849-88; Wm. R. Hooper, 1852-66; Orrin P. Gilbert, 1852-59; John H. Brooks,
1863-79; Luther Phillips, 1865-69; Marcus Moore, 1869-77; Geo. E. Gladwin, 1869-83;
Aldus M. Chapin, 1877-81; B. J. Boutwell, 1879-85; Geo. I. Alden, 1881-83; Henry M.
Smith, 1881-83; Geo. W. Russell, 1883-88; Stephen H. Earned, 1883-86; Lewis C.
Batson, 1883-87; O. S. Gordon, 1886-92; John C. Woodbury, 1887-91; U. Waldo Cutler,
1888-1905; James Logan, 1888- ; Wm. E. Sawtelle, 1888-92; E. O. Price, 1889-03; G. L.
Sanford, 1892-94; Frank Colegrave, 1894-04; John Brigham, 1896-97; E. A. Put-
nam, 1897-06; Clarence W. Hobbs, 1901-07; George Sieurin, 1903-09; D. M. Wheeler,
1904-08; Hobart A. Whitman, 1905-11 ; Frank Drew, 1906-08; John C. Woodbury, 1906.
07; Chas. F. Fuller, 1907-13; John C. Woodbury, 1908-14; Clinton Alvord, 1909-15;
Wallace E. Sargent, 1910-16; Geo. L. Clark, 1911-17; Wendell L. Parker, 1912-16; Ho-
bart A. Whitman, 1912-14; Francis Bergstrom, 1912-13 ; Fred. L. Willis, 1913-17; Ar-
thur D. Butterfield, 1913-; Chas. F. Fuller, 1914-; U. Waldo Cutler, 1914-; Clarence W.
Hobbs, 191S-; Clinton Alvord, 1916-; Edwin G. Norman, 1916-; Burtis W. Fames,
1917-; Wendell S. Parker, 1917--

The successive clerks of the church have been: Samuel Taylor, 1824-27; Laommi
I. Hoadley, 1827-30; John S. C. Abbott, 1830-35; Henry Wheeler, 1835-40; Walter
Johnson, 1840-41 ; John C. Newton, 1841-48; John Rice, 1848-76; Geo. I. Alden, 1876-81 ;
Thos. W. Thompson, 1881-83; Geo. L. Brownell, 1883-85; Orange S. Gordon, 1885-87;
U. W. Cutler, 1887-89; Wm. B. Childs, 1889; Geo. W. Mackintire, 1889-95; Clinton
Alvord, 1895-98; Wm. H. Sanford, 1898-02; Chas. F. Fuller, 1902-05; Frank Colgrove,
1905-17; Carl R. Brownell, 1917--

AND ITS PEOPLE 807

Salem Street Church. — This was formed from the congregations of
Old South, the Calvinist and Union churches. The church was formally
recognized June 14, 1848. It began with a membership of 133, eighty
being former members of Union Church. The place of worship was in
the old City Hall until December 12, 1848, when the structure on Salem
street was occupied. The cost was $28,000, and the funds were raised
in the three older churches. Rev. George Bushnell was ordained, De-
cember 13, 1848, and installed as pastor ; the sermon was preached by
his brother. Rev. Dr. Horace Bushnell. The pastor was educated in Yale
College (1842) and at Auburn and New Haven seminaries. He resigned
nine years later to accept the office of superititendent of schools in this
city, but was not dismissed until Jan. 27, 1858.

A call was extended to Merrill Richardson of Fall River, and
declined. He accepted a second call, and was installed January 27, 1858,
and was pastor twelve years, being dismissed at his own request on
account of failure of eyesight. He was afterward pastor of the New
England Congregational Church, New York, and of the Milford Church.
He died in 1876. He was a liberal preacher, a faithful pastor and pre-
served harmony in his congregation. Rev. Charles M. Lamson of North
Bridgewater accepted a call dated March 8, 1871, and was installed May
3. The creed was made more liberal. After fourteen years of entire
harmony and affection between pastor and people, he resigned on
account of ill health, and was dismissed Sept. 28, 1885. Rev. Isaac J.
Lansing of Brooklyn, the next pastor, was of the Methodist denomina-
tion. He was installed Nov. 11, 1886; resigned in 1891. He was
rather sensational in preaching, but was successful in drawing large
congregations and in providing funds to pay the church debt. Rev.
William W. Sleeper became assistant pastor October 18, 1888, and had
charge of the music of the church, besides other special duties. Rev.
Frank H. Vrooman was pastor, 1892-94; Rev. Samuel A. Harlow,
1895-96.

The church was consolidated with Union church in 1896. The
meeting house was sold to the First Swedish Congregational Church
(q. v.).

Union Church. — The following historical narrative is contributed :

Union Church was incorporated March 11, 1835, and at a council of churches held
February 3, 1836, the church was formally approved. The society held its first meeting
March 5, and the new house of worship was dedicated July 6. It was a plain brick
house, 54 by 90 feet on Front street, opposite the Common ; enlarged in 1845-6. A new
edifice was built on the same site in 1880.

The first pastor was Rev. Jonathan E. Woodbridge, who was installed Nov. 24,
1836. Because the society voted to permit anti-slavery speakers in the church, the
pastor resigned on Feb. 2, 1838, and was dismissed Feb. 14. He was afterward editor
of the New England Puritan.

The second pastor, Rev. Flam Smalley, was installed Sept. 19, 1838, and his m.in-
istry was successful, the church growing constantly, making additions to the meeting

8o8

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

X
u

u
o

AND ITS PEOPLE 809

house necessary. Deacon Ichabod Washburn, the principal founder of this church,
provided at this time a vestry in the basement. At the request of Dr. Smalley, Ma>
8, 1854, he was dismissed to become pastor of the Third Street Presbyterian Church,
Troy, N. Y., where he died July 30, 1858. In 1851 he published "The Worcester Pul-
pit" a valuable source of church history.

The church called Rev. J. W. Wellman, graduate and later a trustee of Dartmouth
College, but he declined. Rev. Ebenezer Cutler of St. Albans, Vt, accepted a call and
was installed Sept. 6, 1855. He was pastor until 1865 when he was elected president of
Vermont University and declined ; made professor in Hartford Theological Seminary,
but declined, at the urgent request of his congregation. He was prime mover in form-
ing the Congregational Club and became its first president. On account of throat
trouble, he resigned in 1878 and was dismissed Oct. 11, 1880. He continued to worship
here and was made pastor emeritus. Dr. Cutler died January 16, 1898.

For nearly two years Rev. George H. Gould supplied the pulpit. During this period
the new meeting house was erected on Front street at a cost of $37,500 and dedicated
Oct. ID, 1880, the sermon being preached by the pastor-elect Rev. Henry A. Stimson,
who was installed on the 14th. He was a Yale graduate and had been a successful
pastor in Minneapolis. He introduced new ideas ; printed a weekly bulletin ; established
free seats at Sunday evening services. His congregations were large. He was dis-
missed in June, 1886, to accept a call in St. Louis.

Rev. William V. W. Davis was the fifth pastor and was installed April 15, 1887.
He was a graduate of Amherst College and his first pastorate was in Manchester,
N. H. From Manchester he went to Cleveland, Ohio, as pastor of the Euclid Avenue
Presbyterian Church and from this church he came to Worcester. On the first of
September, 1889, at the request of Dr. Davis, the church engaged Rev. W. S. Kelsey
as pastor's assistant, coming here from Windham, Conn. He took charge of the Sun-
day school, the Christian Endeavor Society and assisted Dr. Davis in his pulpit and
pastoral work. After remaining in this position until October, 1890, he resigned to ac-
cept a call to a similar position at Berkeley Temple, Boston. The pastorate of Dr.
Davis continued until July 9, 1893, on which date his resignation was read, but he
continued to be responsible for the supply of the pulpit until October ist. In the early
part of Dr. Davis' ministry he agitated the idea of having a parsonage and within a
short time a lot was secured on Ashland street. Dr. Davis drew the plans of such a
house as he wished which were accepted by the Union Society. A building committee
was chosen and the result was the large and beautiful residence on the east side of
Ashland street. Dr. Davis and family continued to live in this house until he left
Union Church when it was then sold. He was a man of a "warm sympathetic nature,
had a wide acquaintance with literature and took a deep interest in current events.
While he was liberal in his interpretations of the scriptures he essentially maintained
the faith of the fathers and his utterances were in accord with the articles of faith of
this church and with the accepted standards of our own and other evangelical denomi-
nations." Shortly after he resigned he received and accepted a call to the Congrega-
tional Church in Pittsfield, Mass., where he remained until he met with an accident in
falling over a precipice which caused his death.

The two or three years following the departure of Dr. Davis, Union Church was
without a permanent pastor. During that interval Rev. F. F. Emerson was engaged
most of the time as acting pastor and his sermons were always very interesting and
scholarly.

It was in January, 1896, that a communication was received from Salem Street
Church asking for a conference with Union Church with a view to uniting the two
churches. Union Church had a new meeting house under construction on Chestnut
street which was nearing completion and at a meeting of representatives of the two
churches the opinion was that the time had come when the best interests of Christ's
kingdom in our city would be promoted by such a union. Consequently by a vote taken

8io HISTORY OF WORCESTER

February 19, 1896, the union of the two churches was consummated and the name of
Union Church was retained and to date from 1836, the time of the organization of the
older church. This union of the two churches was made complete by the calling of a
mutual council which met May 8, 1896, in the Salem street meeting house and declared
its approval and extended to the united church the recognition and fellowship of their
sister churches. The two churches were authorized to unite by a special act of the
legislature April 28, 1896. The first services of the united churches were held on the
second Sunday in May, 1896, in the large hall of the Y. M. C. A. on Pearl street and
were conducted by Rev. Dr. C. M. Lamson, who was pastor of Salem Street Church
from May 3, 1871, to Sept. 28, 1885. The church continued to worship there until
Sept. 6, 1896.

At a special meeting of Union Society October 23rd, 1894, a committee of fifteen
was elected to act with the Prudential Committee to "consider ways and means and so-
licit subscriptions for a new lot and church building, and in case sufficient funds are
in their judgment subscribed, they are hereby empowered to sell the present property,
select and purchase a new location and erect a new church building." The Kinnicutt
estate on Chestnut street opposite Pearl street was the site selected and was purchased
in February, 1895, for $55,000. Ground was broken July 24, 1895, and the corner-
stone was laid by Albert Curtis, a charter member of Union Church, February 3, 1896,
on the sixtieth anniversary, with appropriate services. An address was made by the
acting pastor, Rev. F. F. Emerson, and the benediction was pronounced by the pastor
emeritus, Rev. Ebenezer Cutler, D. D. This edifice may be said to consist of three
buildings, the Memorial Chapel, Parish House and Church Auditorium. The Chapel
and Parish House being completed the first services were held in them Sunday, Septem-
ber 6, 1896. The Auditorium being completed the first services were held there Sunday,
February 14, 1897. In the construction of this edifice the Gothic style was adopted
with twin towers at the front ninety-two and a half feet high. The matericil selected
is pink Milford granite with its natural split face for the walls, relieved for the cut
work with Longmeadow brownstone which is both easy to work and very durable. The
Auditorium is cruciform in plan, the roof of which is covered with Vermont red slate,
the color of which tones in with the copper covered slender spire rising to a height of
one hundred and eighty feet at the crossing of nave and transepts. The main facade
shows a symmetrical treatment on which are grotesque forms as gargoyles which are
symbolical of evil spirits fleeing in all directions from the sacred precincts, while archi-
tecturally their salient forms give life and vigor to the skylines of the building. The
Auditorium is fifty-seven feet in its widest diameter, the nave and transepts each forty-
five feet wide, flanked by aisles about six and a half feet wide. Its total length is nine-
ty-three and a half feet and greatest width across transepts is eighty-nine feet.

The semi-detached Memorial Chapel is complete in itself, with its special entrance
through a picturesque mosaic-floored open porch and vestibule. Directly opposite the
porch entrance is a bronze mural tablet, designed in style to harmonize with the archi-
tecture of the building, commemorating the gift of the chapel dedicated to the purposes
of divine worship in loving memory of Philip Louis Moen. The chapel is thirty-four
by fifty feet and has sittings for three hundred and fifty people. It is provided with a
very superior two manual pipe organ filling a projecting bay near the platform. A
rich stained glass window over the platform has for its subject the Angel of Praise.
The parish house has a Sunday-school room forty-six and a half by fifty-eight and a
half, and twenty-four feet high, with two stories of class rooms, nine in number, about
twelve feet square, each separated from the main room by flexible sliding doors.

The first pastor of this united Union Church, Rev. John EUery Tuttle, D. D.,
was pastor of the College Church at Amherst and Professor of Biblical Literature. A
unanimous call was sent to him October 18, 1896, was accepted by him October 23rd,
and he began his work Sunday, November 29th, 1896. During his pastorate the church
was in a prosperous condition, large congregations filled the church every Sunday. On

AND ITS PEOPLE 8ii

account of impaired health after a pastorate of four years, he resigned September i6,
1900. At a special meeting the following Wednesday evening the church voted to lay
his resignation on the table and the following week at a special meeting the Union
Society voted to grant him six months leave of absence. After four months however,
a letter was received from him from California stating that his physicians advised
him not to return to New England for the present and urging the church to accept his
resignation. Consequently at a special meeting of the church March 20, 1901, his resig-
nation was accepted and on the twenty-second of April the pastoral relations were dis-
solved by a mutual council. An Outlook Committee was appointed by the church to
secure a success or to Dr. Tuttle, and after an interval of nearly a year the Outlook Com-
mittee had found a minister whom they desired to recommend to the church. A special
meeting of the church was therefore called on February 5, 1902, and the Rev. Nacy
McGee Waters, D. D., of Binghamton, N. Y., was the minister recommended. The
church voted unanimously to extend the call. This call, however, was declined by
Dr. Waters and the Outlook Committee were obliged to look further. It was not until
July 30, 1902, that a special meeting of the church was called to listen to another report
from the Outlook Committee. At this meeting they reported the name of the Rev.
Frank Crane, D. D., of Chicago. The report of the committee was accepted and by a
ballot being taken the call was extended to Dr. Crane. The letter sent to Dr. Crane
was dated August i, 1902, and the call was accepted by him August 24th. He began his
labors with this church September 7, 1902, and was installed by a Council October
2ist. He remained with the church nearly seven years, reading his own resignation
at the annual reunion January 6, 1909. in which he gave six months notice in accordance
with the contract when he was called. At a meeting of the church February 10, 1909,
it was voted to accept his resignation and on Sunday, June 27th, he preached his fare-
well sermon. Dr. Crane "from Sabbath to Sabbath for nearly seven years presented the
deepest and most important truths in such a clear and forcible manner as to impress
both young and old. He spared not sin in high as well as in low places. He brought
to his people the results of incessant study and thought in messages enlightening,
warning and full of inspiration." An Outlook Committee was appointed February 10,
1909, by the church to secure a pastor to succeed Dr. Crane. On the 29th of June this
committee made its report to the church recommending the name of the Rev. Francis
Alden Poole, of Barre, Vermont. The report of the Outlook Committee was accepted
and Mr. Poole was given a unanimous call to the pastorate. In a letter from him dated
July 15th, Mr. Poole accepted the call and stated that he would begin his work Octo-
ber 1st. From October ist, 1909, to October ist, 1917, Mr. Poole was the pastor of
Union Church. During the summer of 1917 while on his vacation at his summer home
in Vermont he received a call to the South Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury,
Vermont, and on the first Sunday in September his resignation from Union Church was
read. During his pastorate of eight years he established the free pew system, had the
church incorporated so that the Union Society was done away with, and succeeded in
materially reducing the church debt. He received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
during his pastorate. Although Dr. Poole was not a strong man physically he was a
faithful worker for the best interests of Union Church. Being a man of saintly char-
acter he was respected, esteemed and loved by all who knew him.

After an interval of nearly three months the Outlook Committee at a meeting in
December, 1917, recommended the name of the Rev. Benjamin F. Wyland of Brooklyn,
N. Y., to succeed Dr. Poole as pastor of the church. The church accepted the report
and unanimously voted to extend the call to Mr. Wyland. On the 20th of December,
Mr. Wyland accepted the call and began his labors January 20, 1918. He is a man
thirty-five years of age and has had several years experience of church and pulpit work
at the Tompkins Avenue Congregational Church of Brooklyn, the largest church of
our denomination in the country. He is the much loved pastor of Union Church at
the present time.

8i2 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Memorial Congregational Church. — The follo^ving is from the pen
of Rev. E. E. Eels :

The Memorial Church, corner of Summer and Bridge Sts., was founded by
Ichabod Washburn, who caused its building to be erected in 1854. Unlike Mr. Wash-
burn's other foundations — Memorial Hospital, the Home for Aged Women, the Wor-
cester Polytechnic Institute or Mechanics' Hall, this church was a part of his life
work, growing out of a Sunday school which he organized in Pine Meadows (as the
locality was then called) soon after coming to Worcester.

The object of the foundation is set forth in the preamble to that legacy of Mr.
Washburn's will, which reads as follows :

"Whereas I have long felt it was desirable to devise some means by which a
pretty numerous class of persons in the city of Worcester, who are living without the
benefits of moral and religious instruction and restraint which grows out of an habitual
attendance upon the ministrations of the gospel should be supplied with opportunities
and inducements to enjoy the same.

"And whereas, it has seemed to me that the readiest way of accomplishing this
purpose would be to open for the use of all who may be disposed to avail themselves
of the same a suitable and respectable place of worship, etc."

The enterprise was known as "the Mission Chapel" until it was organized into "The
Church of the Summer St. Mission Chapel," on Jan. 22nd, 1865. Up to this time its
pastors were Revs. W. T. Sleeper, 1855-6 ; Samuel Souther, 1856-63 ; W. P. Reynolds,
1863-64; and Mr. Cheever again at the time of the church's organization. Mr. Souther
was the founder of the Industrial School in connection with the church. He was a
member of the state legislature. He enlisted in the army and fell in the battle of the
Wilderness May 6th, 1864. His widow and descendants still reside in Worcester.

Mr. Sleeper again became, pastor in 1865, serving till May, 1894. Like his predeces-
sors, he was also superintendent of the Worcester City Missionary Society and founded
Lake View Church, the Church of the Covenant on Hoten St., Bethany, and Park
Church. He was followed by Rev. O. C. Bailey 1894 to 1903, John W. Norris, 1904, and
Rev. O. J. Billings, 1905 to '08.

The aim of the present pastor has been to restore tho former intimate relation be-
tween the church and the Worcester City Missionary Society, and to carry out the far-
sighted purpose of the founder in developing a modern institutional church with the
pastor residing again in the manse connected with the church building, to make it a
Christian community house and social center. The Industrial School has been broad-
ened into a varied group of helpful social agencies and the attraction of the Sunday
evening services has been increased by the sacred use of motion pictures.

Plymouth Congregational Church. — The following narrati\'e is con-
tributed :

Fourteen young men, members of the Young Men's Christian Association, at a
meeting in Mechanics Hall building, April 15. 1869, decided to form a new Congrega-
tional church. Francis B. Knowles was chairman, Lucius P. Goddard, secretary. Oth-
ers present were Henry M. Wheeler, Lyman Drury, Charles H. Morgan, Charles G.
Reed and Asa L. Kneeland. Six men pledged themselves each to be one of fifty to
guarantee the expenses. Mr. Knowles was active in organizing and arranging for the
finances. A week later another meeting was held and Rev. R. B. Stratton, pastor of
Old South, spoke in favor of the new church; Deacon Luther Philips presided. It was
decided to hold services in Mechanics Hall, and it was engaged for Sundays for the
following year. At the third meeting a finance committee was appointed, viz : Francis
B. Knowles from Union Church ; Charles G. Reed from Old South ; Henry M. Wheel-
er from the Calvinist ; David F. Parker from the Salem street and Charles H. Morgan
from the Mission Chapel Church. Moses Church was afterward added to the com-
mittee. Subscriptions to the amount of $3,340 were made. E. A. Goodnow gave $500.
At the next two meetings the amount was increased to $4,260.

AND ITS PEOPLE 813

The first services were held in Mechanics Hall, May 9, 1869, Rev. Dr. Webb being
the preacher. At the first session of the Sunday school the same day, over which Jo-
seph B. Knox presided 450 persons were present. Rev. Julius H. Seelye of Amherst
College preached the following Sunday ; Charles H. Morgan was elected superintendent
of the Sunday school.

An agreement to form a society, dated May 8, was signed by seventy-one persons,
and the meeting to organize was held May 20. C. B. Metcalf was elected moderator;
Edward M. Rockwell, clerk ; Edward A. Goodnow, treasurer ; and Constant Shepard,
collector. The first assessors were S. R. Heywood, C. B. Metcalf, William P. Daniels,
F. B. Knowles and S. J. Wilcox.

The church was organized May 13; Charles H. Morgan, presiding, and the Arti-
cles of Faith adopted June 13. It was voted to call it the Sixth Congregational Church. The
council to recognize the new church met in Old South meeting house July 7, 1869, and
127 joined by profession, 67 by letter. At a church meeting soon afterward, S. R. Hey-
wood was elected permanent moderator ; Charles G. Reed, clerk and treasurer ; P. B.
Gilbert and Jonas White, deacons ; Charles H. Morgan, Luther Phillips and William
F. Fames, standing committee; C. B. Metcalf and F. B. Knowles, supply committee.

The name Plymouth Church was adopted August 26, to accord with the name of
the society. A communion service was given by E. A. Goodnow and Mrs. Catherine B.
Goodnow, Sept. 2, 1869, and at the same time C. H. Morgan and Luther Phillips were
elected deacons ; Lyman Drury and F. B. Knowles succeeding them on the standing
committee. During the five years in which services were held in Mechanics Hall, the
congregations were large, and on one Sunday the attendance in the Sunday school
reached 679.

Rev. Nelson Millard of Montclair, New Jersey, was called as pastor, but he de-
clined. Oct. 5, 1870, Rev. W. J. Tucker, afterward president of Dartmouth College,
was called and he also declined. Rev. B. F. Hamilton, called April 19, 1871, declined.
Rev. George W. Phillips of Columbus, Ohio, called Oct. 18, 1871, accepted on condi-
tion that a meeting house be erected. He was installed Dec. 28, 1871. Rev. Dr. Webb
preached the installation sermon. Mr. Phillips was a graduate of Amherst College
and Andover Theological Seminary, and his ministry was long and fruitful.

When it was decided to build the new church at the Pearl and Chestnut street lo-
cation, April 18, 1872, those who favored the south end, decided to separate and es-
tablished Piedmont Church. (See Piedmont). The following building committee was
elected May 16, 1872; C. B. Metcalf, Alfred Parker, William L. Clark, William P.
Daniels, John Boyden, W. C. Barbour, Osgood Bradley, A. M. Howe, Jonas White,
S. A. Porter, William F. Fames and John E. Spaulding, and later C. H. Morgan and
S. R. Heywood, to fill vacancies. The cornerstone was laid April 26, 1873. The chapel
was dedicated April 19, 1874, and the first sermon preached there May 2, 1874, and it
was used for services until the church was completed. The church was dedicated April
29, 1875, Rev. Dr. Alex. McKenzie preaching the sermon. The building is of Fitwilliam
granite, having a spire 193 feet in height; it cost $150,000; the main auditorium
seats 1250. The chapel seats 800. A. P. Cutting was the architect ; Jones & Linker,
master masons. The chime of bells was given by Edward A. Goodnow in memory of
Mrs. Catherine B. Goodnow : he also gave the organ in memory of his only son. In
1881 the society was free of debt. The pews for which owners had paid $20,500 were
surrendered to the society and since then the pews have been free. Since April, 1889,
weekly calendars have been printed.

Mr. Phillips resigned April 4, 1886. Rev. Arthur Little, D. D., of Chicago, was
called, but declined. Rev. Charles Wadsworth of Philadelphia was installed April 7,
1887, Rev. Dr. Harper of Philadelphia preaching the sermon. In May, 1888, he re-
signed to accept a call in San Francisco, but the council advised against accepting, and
he decided to remain. Edward Grier Fullerton was ordained as -Evangelist June 13,
1889, and became pastor's assistant. Rev. Charles Wadsworth resigned Oct. 27, 1889, on

gj^ HISTORY OF WORCESTER

account of ill health ; his preaching attracted large congregations and he drew many
young people into the church. Rev. Dr. Noble of Chicago declined a call in 1889. Rev.
Archibald McCullagh, D. D., of Brooklyn, accepted and began his ministry Oct 5.
1890, being confirmed by the council Dec. 9. Rev. Samuel H. Virgin, his successor, was
pastor from 1900 to 1903. Rev. Andrew Burns Chalmers became pastor in 1903. He
was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. Robert McDonald in 1915.

The church has six deacons, for six year terms. Since 1891 a lady visitor has
assisted the pastor; Mrs. L. B. Hoit, the first visitor, served for many years.

The twenty-fifth anniversary was celebrated with elaborate exercises beginning
Sunday, May 6, 1894, and continued four days, Piedmont Church joining in the cele-
bration.' Rev. Dr. McCullagh preached an historical sermon. The Sunday school had
its celebration in the evening. On Monday evening an historical sketch of the church
was read by Lucius P. Goddard, and addresses delivered by clergymen of various de-
nominations. There was a social reunion on Tuesday evening and addresses by Rev.
Dr. Edwin B. Webb and Rev. Dr. George W. Phillips. On Wednesday evening there
was a prayer and praise service. A pamphlet containing a report of all the proceedings
was afterward published.

The Ladies' Benevolent Society was organized Oct. 6, 1869, and the following of-
ficers elected at the home of Mrs. P. B. Gilbert: Mrs. E. A. Goodnow, Pres.; Mrs.
C. B. Metcalf, Vice-Pres. ; Mrs. C. L. Gilbert, Sec. ; Sarah L. Phillips, Treas. Direc-
tors : Mesdames Luther Phillips, H. M. Wheeler, Nancy Chapman, P. B. Gilbert, C. H.
Morgan. Meetings were held at first in the homes of members. Afterward Mesdames
C. A. Lincoln, C. H. Morgan, D. F. Parker, E. A. Goodnow, Drury, C. G. Reed
and C. H. Stearns were presidents. This society contributed very effectively to raising
the building fund and furnishing the church and chapel, providing carpets and keeping
them in order ; repairing cushions and attending to the housekeeping of the church. It
has contributed to educational and charitable organizations regularly. At the end of
the first twenty-five years nearly $30,000 had been raised by this society, of which more
than $15,000 was for the church building.

Archibald IM'CuUagh, D. D., former pastor, graduated from Princeton in 1868,
B. A., and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1871. He was licensed
by the Presbytery of New York City to preach in 1870, and for three months supplied
tiie pulpit of Rev. Dr. William Blacwood of Philadelphia, and was afterward asked
to become his colleague but declined the appointment. Before he graduated he received
unanimous calls from two churches in Philadelphia and from the Second Presbyterian
Church of Germantown, and accepted the last, being installed May, 1871. In 1877 he
received a call from the Ross Street Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., and,
after declining several times, finally accepted, and began his work there April 2, 1878.
During his pastorate of twelve years more than $200,000 was raised for various pur-
poses in this church, including payment of a church debt of $50,000; and 550 names
were added to the church rolls. , • o j

Dr. McCullagh became pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in 1890 and
served with great success. Not only as a preacher but as an author Dr. McCullagh is
widely known. He took rank among the foremost preachers of New England. In his
pastoral work he made many friends. He was tactful, sympathetic and cheerful; his
presence in the sick-room and the house of mourning was always welcome. He was
pre-eminent as an organizer, and in managing the business affairs that fell to him in the
course of duty. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from the University of the
City of New York. For a number of years after resigning his pastorate here, he was
engaged in the real estate business. At present he is preaching from time to time. He
is always in demand on public occasions ; few public speakers have such a degree of
popularity and none hold it longer in a community than has Dr. McCullagh.

Robert AlacDonald, D. D., pastor of Plymouth Church since 1915, was born July
22, i860, in Liverpool. Nova Scotia ; a graduate from Harvard College. B. A., in 1894,
and from Harvard Divinity School the fololwing year. He received the degree of Ph.D.,
from New York University in 1910. He married, in Methuen, Massachusetts, Sep-
tember 15, 1889, Ada Tenney, born in Salem, N. H., in 1865. Children: Robert T.,
born January 23, 1893 ; Milton T., October 22, 1895 ; Donald, July 5, 1897 ; Frances, De-
cember I, 1898.

AND ITS PEOPLE 815

Piedmont Church. — The following is contributed :

It being the conviction of the friends of Congregationalism in Worcester that
the cause of Christ could be effectually promoted by the organization of a church in
the rapidly growing southern section of the city, a meeting was called by Francis B.
Knowles, a prominent member of Plymouth Church, then recently organized and
worshipping in Mechanics Hall, April 25th, 1872. The proposal was freely discussed
and favorable action decided upon. Public notice was given of the project and the
co-operation of all interested solicited. So much interest was manifested that the site
for the new church was selected July ist, at the corner of Main and Piedmont streets,
at a cost of $25,000. It being the seventh organization of the order in the city, the name
at first agreed upon was the Seventh Congregational Church ; later counsel, led to the
selection of the name "Piedmont," by virtue of the location at the foot of Oread hill,
the derivative meaning of the word "Piedmont" being "at the foot of the hill."

The brethren of the Main Street Baptist Church offered the use of their building
on afternoon of Sundays, and the offer was gratefully accepted. Rev. George W.
Phillips, pastor of Plymouth Church, preached the first sermon. The first public
service was held June 2nd, 1872. A Sunday school was organized with 190 members ;
Francis B. Knowles, superintendent; Charles H. Hutchins, assistant.

Building operations proceeded rapidly, and the chapel was ready for use April 12,
1874, on which date the hospitality of the Baptist church was relinquished. Until this
date no formal organization of the church had been effected; it had been a purely vol-
untary affair. A council of churches was called Sept. i8th, 1874, at the Baptist
Church, at which legal steps were taken looking towards formal organization. Rev.
Wm. P. Paine, D. D., was moderator, and Rev. George W. Phillips was scribe. The
council voted favorably upon the action of the new organization, its confession of
faith and covenant. Ninety-seven were proposed for charter membership— 47 from
Plymouth Church, 18 from Old South, 14 from Union, 4 from Salem street, and 14
from churches in other places.

A building committee of eleven prominent members of the new society, with a
finance committee of six, undertook to provide a new house of worship. The corner
stone was laid Aug. 5th, 1873, with appropriate exercises under the general charge of
Rev. George H. Gould, D. D. No attempt was made to secure a permanent pastor
during the progress of the building enterprise, but Rev. George H. Gould, D. D., a
resident minister without charge, was the unanimous selection for the time being. He
would have been settled over the young organization if his assent to such action could
have been secured. The church was dedicated Jan. 30, 1877. The first minister in-
stalled (July 3, 1877) was Rev. David O. Mears, former pastor of North Avenue
Congregational Church, Cambridge. His most successful pastorate continued over six-
teen years, during which the church was completed at a cost of $125,500, including
furnishings; an indebtedness of $83,000 provided for, as the membership increased in
numbers and financial ability, and the membership was added to from year t9 year to
the total number of 707. Under the leadership of Dr. Mears the activities of the
church became numerous and varied ; no general movement in city or State failed to
receive the active co-operation of the church and its aggressive pastor. The great wave
of No license and Anti-saloon leagues set in motion in the early eighties was started
at Piedmont Church. The formation of the local Y. W. C. A. was inspired if not act-
ually promoted by the activities of Dr. Mears. Immanuel Church was the direct re-
sult of the activities of the membership under the lead of Dr. Mears. For many years
this branch organazition was supported and its equipment furnished by Piedmont
Church, on the east side of the city. The pastorate of Dr. Mears ended amid universal
regrets, March 19, 1893. The farewell reception was attended by about one thousand
citizens of the city and adjoining towns, denominational lines being obliterated in this
expression of appreciation.

8i6

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

PIEDMONT CHURCH.

AND ITS PEOPLE 817

Dr. Elijah Horr, D. D., the next pastor, was installed June 27, 1893. During his
pastorate the parsonage was purchased at the corner of May and Woodland streets.
After a successful ministry with the church Dr. Horr was dismissed by council June
23, 1897. Rev. Willard Scott, D. D., was called from Chicago, and installed Oct. 6,
1898. He became widely known and influential as a pulpit orator, and his occasional
addresses outside of the pulpit marked him as a scholar of aggressiveness and of deep
mental acumen. His pastorate was distinguished by a large increase in membership
and all the early traditions of the church were maintained and significantly advanced.
He was dismissed by council May loth, 1909. The fifth pastor, Henry Stiles Bradley,
D. D., came from St. John's M. E. Church, South St. Louis, Oct. 3, 1909. He was in-
stalled by council Jan. 18, 1910. His pastorate has been distinguished by the mainte-
nance of the usual activities of a vigorous organization of this type, and has added
many new features to its religious and secular endeavors. Among the significant en-
terprises undertaken under his pastorate, are the entire support of a medical mission-
ary in South Africa, undertaken in 1910; the organization of the men of the church
in a social brotherhood ; a Boy Scouts organization in 1910 and since continued ; the
standard of general benevolences raised beyond any previous record; articles of faith
and a revised covenant adopted, of such simplified form as to give new emphasis to
church membership and its obligations. A new organ was presented by a few of its
members at a cost of nearly $20,000; the sub-basement was transformed into social
assembly quarters. Dr. Bradley headed a vigorous general civic movement in protest
against Sunday moving picture entertainments ; a considerable addition was made to
. the church in 1916, providing an adequate kindergarten department and a pastor's
room, the gift of a few members.

The record of Piedmont Church for over 40 years has been particularly strong
along lines having to do with the furtherance of civic and religious enterprises outside
of its immediate organization and which have ministered to the broader demands of
good citizenship and community welfare.

Pilgrim Congregational Church. — The history of this church begins
with a Sunday school service held May 13, 1883, at the home of Mrs.
Fannie H. Mighill, widow of Rev. Nathaniel Mighill, former pastor of
Old South, Hancock street. The Sunday school organized at that time
was made permanent and chose for its name Pilgrim ; in seven weeks the
attendance had reached sixty-nine and the school afterward met in the
Woodland street school house. Arthur E. Gray succeeded Mrs. Mig-
hill as superintendent, July 8, 1883. A prayer meeting was held Thurs-
day evenings at the homes of members of the school, beginning Nov. 8;
then preaching services. Rev. Albert Bryant, superintendent of the
City Missionary Society, was the first to preach, and undertook the
organization of a church. At the end of the first year fifty-seven had
joined the organization to establish a church, and a lot at the corner of
Main and Gardner streets had been given by Francis B. Knowles, of
Piedmont Church, and Mrs. Helen C. Knowles of Union Church. Rev.
Charles M. Southgate of Dedham was called as pastor, and began pas-
toral work Nov. 16th. The wooden chapel which had been begun in the
meantime, was first occupied for worship Jan. 24, 1885.

Pilgrim Church was received into the Congregational fellowship
and the pastor installed March 19, 1885, at a council of twenty-five
churches. At the second anniversary the sum of $13,000 was pledged to
W.— 1-52.

8i8 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

build a new church. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 22, 1887, on the
same day as that of Clark University, and the trustees and officers of
the two institutions attended both exercises in a body. Stephen C.
Earle was the architect; Cutting & Bishop, the contractors. The church
was dedicated July 1, 1888, Rev. Dr. George W. Phillips preaching the
sermon. Through the generosity of Francis B. Knowles, the old chapel
was enlarged and refitted for the use of the Sunday school, for social and
various church purposes. Mr. Knowles not only gave part of the land
and remodeled the chapel, but he guaranteed the pastor's salary; made
the largest gift to the building fund ; gave $500 to the organ fund, and
gave often for other work in the church.

After eleven years, Mr. Southgate resigned to become pastor of the
Congregational Church at Auburndale, and was dismissed October 27,
1895. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Lewis, Ph.D., pastor of the
New England Congregational Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., who began his
pastorate Jan. 1, 1896. During the next eight years 491 members were
received; the large debt was greatly reduced, largest contributors being
Loring Coes, Frank P. Knowles and John M. Russell. Rev. Clifton H.
Mix succeeded Mr. Lewis in March, 1895, and in March, 1914, he resigned
on account of ill health. His pastorate was exceedingly pleasant and
successful. Rev. George L. Hanscom has been pastor since 1915.

Adams Square Congregational Church.— Owing to the growth of
the city in its vicinity, Adams Square Congregational Church has had a
very rapid and healthful development since it was established in 1898.
The meeting house is at 24 Burncoat street. The first pastor was Rev.
John E. Dodge, formerly of West Boylston. He was succeeded in 1900
by Rev. John Addison Seibert, whose pastorate lasted five years. From
1905 Re-^ Percy H. Epler was pastor. He was exceedingly popular and
took an active part in public aflfairs ; he resigned in 1916. Since 1916
Rev. Edward C. Boynton has been pastor.

Park Congregational Church. — This church was the outgrowth of a
Sunday school established by Lydia A. Giddings in 1884. In May, 1885,
the first sermon was preached in Agricultural Hall by J. F. Lovering,
pastor of Old South. Rev. Dr. A. E. P. Perkins then took charge, and in
1886 a chapel was erected and dedicated, Sept. 26, that year. The site,
Elm and Russell streets, was the gift of David Whitcomb, and the title
of the property valued at $9,000, remained for some years in the Chy Mis-
sionary Society. The church was formally constituted Feb. 24, 1887,
and Rev. George S. Pelton, formerly of Omaha, installed. A society was
also organized according to Congregational custom, but later the church
was incorporated under the State law Jan. 17, 1888, and since then parish
and church have been identical. The present building was erected on
the site of the original chapel. Rev. Inman L. Wilcox was pastor, 1891-
1910. He was succeeded by Rev. C. F. Hill Crathern, whose pastorate
ended in 1915. His successor, Rev. J. Farland Randolph, was pastor in

AND ITS PEOPLE 819

1916. Since then Rev. James Wylie, who came from England to accept
the call to this church, has been pastor.

Hope Congregational Church. — The following is principally con-
densed from an historical pamphlet printed in 1915 :

In 1856 Mr. Anson Bangs of the Union Church opened a Sunday school in the
schoolhouse, now the ell of the old school building on Cambridge street. For eighteen
years Mr. Bangs successfully superintended the school; the average attendance dur-
ing his term was about sixty. In 1875 the school was moved to the hall of the new
school building. The name of "Union Sunday School" was taken.

In 1881 the City Missionary Society sent Miss Fannie C. Mason. Through her in-
fluence, preaching services were held occasionally by volunteers from city churches.
The hall had been made into a schoolroom and the Sunday school and preaching ser-
vices were held in Miss Boyden's room. In December, 1882, the present chapel was
dedicated, free from debt, the cost being about $2,450. Of this amount $1,000 was
raised in South Worcester, the remainder being contributed by city churches. The
deed of the property was given to the Congregational churches — Union, Piedmont,
Salem and Plymouth — to hold until such time as the organization should be found
strong enough to hold and manage its own property.

Rev. E. D. Bailey was the first pastor; he remained during 1883. After this there
was no regular preacher for a year, when Rev. Albert Bryant was sent by the Wor-
cester City Missionary Society. He conducted services from November, 1884, until
December, 1885, when the church was organized. At this time, at Houghton street,
The Church of the Covenant was organized to embrace various missions in the city,
under the care of the Worcester City Missionary Society. In connection with this, the
present Hope Church was formed as the South Worcester Branch of the Church of the
Covenant. The following were the charter members : Henry Gaunt, Mary J. Mee, Ann
E. Foskit, Hattie E. Scott, Mary L. Gaunt, Emma G. Hall, Ann E. Coburn, S. Alicia
Fay, Lorin Foskit, Sarah Jones and Eva L. Carleton, and on Dec. 29, 1885, officers were
elected : Deacon, Lorin Fosket ; secretary, Mrs. Emma G. Hall ; treasurer, Henry
Gaunt. Rev. Albert Bryant remained as pastor until June, 1889, when he resigned his
position as superintendent of the City Missionary Society.

On June 18, 1889, the Houghton street branch decided to dissolve the relationship
between itself and the branch missions ; thus the South Worcester and the Lake View
Branches were left to themselves. Up to September, 1889, services were held each
Sunday afternoon ; thereafter the services were held in the forenoon. At the same
time an additional deacon, George Mitcheson, was chosen. Mr. Foskit still retained his
office.

During 1888 and 1889 the church saw its hardest times. Few attended the services
and money was scarce. We then heard of a young man who was attending the Wor-
cester Academy and conducting a mission on Hacker street, Mr. Joseph Walthur. We
secured his services as a supply until July, 1889, when he became acting pastor. On
Dec. 21, 1889. the church was formally received by the Congregational churches of the
city, and the name Hope Congregational Church was adopted. At the beginning of 1890
there were fifty names on the membership list. The first officers were: Permanent
chairman, Lorin Foskit; deacon for three years, Mr. Foskit; deacon for two years, Mr.
Mitcheson ; deacon for one year, Mr. Holmes ; deaconesses, Mrs. Sarah Jones, Mrs,
Bertha Chace and Mrs. Emma G. Hall ; clerk, Mr. Frank Thompson ; treasurer, Mrs.
Eva L. Carleton; auditor, Mr. Lorin Foskit; collector, Mr. John Holmes. Standing
Committee, John Holmes, James Gaunt, W. Hamilton, George Mitcheson, George Al-
len, Lorin Foskit, Mrs. Emma Hall, Mrs. Nellie Dollen ; Pastoral Committee, Mrs.
Hattie Scott, Mrs. Eva L. Carleton, Mr. Henry Norris.

820 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

In November of the same year (1890), Mr. Walthur's resignation was accepted
with much regret. Previous to Rev. Mr. Walthur's ordination, Rev. W. T. Sleeper,
pastor of the Summer Street Church, officiated at communion services. At such times
the pastor, Mr. Walthur, conducted services at the Summer Street Church.

On September i, 1891, after successfully supplying the pulpit for some time, Rev.
Ellsworth W. Phillips was installed as pastor. Before the close of the year, the church
decided to build a new church edifice, not to exceed $7,000 in cost. The mortgage was
cancelled on January 19, 1903.

On Sept. 6, 1906, Rev. E. W. Phillips, accepted a call to Whitman, Mass. During
his pastorate the church grew from 87 to 235 members ; the benevolent offerings were
greatly increased; the church became self-supporting; the new church edifice was
erected and paid for; a legacy from the estate of Miss Boyden, one of the most loyal
supporters the church ever had, made possible the purchase of the present parsonage.

Rev. Mr. King supplied about a year; then we were fortunate in securing Rev.
Peter McMillan for three years. The Rev. Frederick B. Kellogg, present pastor, came
in 1909. He resigned Dec. 31, 1917, to become pastor of Pilgrim Church, Buffalo, N. Y.
Under his pastorate the church has grown rapidly, making necessary additions to the
meeting house. He has been president of the Ministers' Club and active in the Y. M.
C. A. and Congregational Club. His father. Rev. S. G. Kellogg, was for forty years
in the Methodist ministry in New Hampshire. He prepared for college at the Metho-
dist Seminary at Montpelier, and then studied at Boston University, Massachusetts In-
stitute of Technology and Union Theological Seminary at New York, from which he
was graduated.

For many years the Y. P. S. C. E. has supported a native worker, in China, and the
church is supporting the only ordained native minister in the district. The Rev. E. H.
Smith, the American missionary in charge, says, "Rev. Ling Jak Nok is my right arm
in this field." The Senior Department of the Sunday school is keeping a day school at
Zara, Turkey, in Asia, by paying the salary of the teacher. The Junior C. E. pays for
four tuition tickets for poor children at Harpoot, Turkey, in Asia.

In 1881 a few ladies formed a society for the purpose of obtaining means for so-
ciety purposes and for mutual social intercourse. In 1883 the Social Union thus or-
ganized had thirty members. The first president was Mrs. Cyrus Taft. It was chiefly
through the work and influence of these few ladies that the Sabbath school was housed
in a new and commodious chapel in 1883. The society was known as the South Wor-
cester Social Union. In honor of the tenth anniversary of the Union, in 1892, a re-
ception was tendered to the pastor and his wife. Rev. E. W. and Mrs. Phillips. In 1892
the name of the society was changed to the Ladies' Social Union of Hope Congrega-
tional Church. There have been but six presidents : Mesdames Cyrus Taft, Emma G.
Hall, Henry Brown, E. C. Carleton, Mary Goddard and E. C. Carleton. The following
have been treasurers : Mesdames Frank Moulton, Emma G. Hall, Hattie Scott, Ken-
drick, Miss Whittaker and Mrs. Ezekiel May.

Lakeview Congregational Church. — The following narrative is con-
tributed by Caroline F. Baker:

Lake View Congregational Church came into existence as a separate body Feb.
23, 1890, but as a branch of the Church of the Covenant, organized Dec. 22, 1885, it had
an earlier birth. Rev. William T. Sleeper, then a resident of Lake View, commenced
holding meetings in the schoolhouse April 13, 1879, which were continued Sunday after-
noons through the summer, and were soon supplemented by a Union Sunday school.
During this summer what was called an Evangelical Religious Society was organized
with trustees to whom Mr. J. J. Coburn deeded the double lot on which the church
building stands, and during 1880 Mr. Sleeper raised the money by private subscription
for building the church. The first meeting of any kind ever held in this was for a

AND ITS PEOPLE 821

Christmas tree, December 25, 1880, and the next day Rev. G. W. Phillips, of Ply-
mouth Church, preached the first sermon in the same room, the basement being still
unfinished, and continuing so for several years.

The church was dedicated January 30, 1881, Rev. George H. Gould preaching the
sermon. From that time religious services and a Sunday school continued to be regu-
larly held in the church, largely through the help of pastors coming down from the
city churches Sunday afternoons. In 1883 the Sunday school came under the care of
Mr. Andrew Hamilton as superintendent, who so continued till his death in 1887. In
1885 this congregation, with the one at South Worcester and that on Houghton street,
were under the care of Rev. Albert Bryant, superintendent of city missions, and it was
determined to organize a church of three branches from these separate congregations.
An ecclesiastical council from the Congregational churches of the city met Dec. 22,
1885, to advise with, and if thought wise to organize such a church. This being deemed
advisable, six- persons from the Lake View congregation became united in the Church
of the Covenant. Mr. Andrew Hamilton was elected deacon of this branch and con-
tinued to be so till his death. The articles of faith and covenant common to the whole
Church of the Covenant were approved by this branch of it. After the death of Dea-
con Hamilton in 1887, Mr. F. E. Goddard was chosen to serve in his place as deacon.
In process of time the three branches of the Church of the Covenant grew in numbers
and, as was contemplated in the first place, one after the other was organized into a
separate church — the Houghton street first, followed by the South Worcester branch
soon after, and lastly, Feb. 23, 1890, the Lake View branch was organized into a
separate church.

Pastors: Rev. Albert Bryant, Supt. City Missions, Nov., 1883,-Dec., 1888; Rev.
William G. Tuttle, Jan., 1889,-Sept., 1889; Rev. Wm. S. Kelsey, Asst. Pastor of Union
Church, Sept., 1889,-Nov., 1890; Rev. Lawrence Perry, May, 1891,-Oct., 1891 ; Rev. J.
K. Thompson, Nov., 1891,-Dec., 1892; Rev. John E. Dodge, Apr., 1893, -Dec, 1896;
Rev. John H. Matthews, Jan., 1897,-Apr., 1903; Rev. A. V. House, Dec, 1903, -Jan., 191 1 ;
Rev. J. L. Sewall, July, 1911,-Apr., 1917.

Bethany Congregational Church. — The church was organized in
1891, in which year Rev. Joseph Walker became pastor. He was suc-
ceeded in 1892 by Rev. Henry E. Barnes. From 1893 to 1914 Rev. Al-
bert G. Todd was pastor. Rev. Frederick K. Brown has been pastor
since 1915. The place of worship was originally on Leicester street, now
Main street. The chapel at 1189 Main street w^as occupied first in 1892.

Greendale People's Church — This church (Independent Congrega-
tional) was organized at Greendale in 1895. The pastors have been :
Rev. J. Charles Villiers, 1896-97; Rev. Gavin H. Wrght, 1898-02; Rev.
Samuel B. Haslett, 1903-16. Rev. J. Farland Randolph was acting pas-
tor in 1917.

Hadwen Park Church. — For a dozen years the City Missionary So-
ciety maintained a Sunday school at Trowbridgeville, and during most of
the time furnished preaching services. In late years it has been known
as Trowbridgeville Chapel. At a council Feb. 10, 1916, it was decided
to organize the Hadwen Park Congregational Church. There were
forty-two charter members, when the organization was incorporated
March 30, 1916. The church is on Clover street, corner of Knox. The
acting pastor is Rev. Ellsworth W. Phillips. In 1917 Lloyd B. Hibbard

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

was superintendent of the Sunday school, with eighty members. The
Christian Endeavor Society has 36 members; the Ladies' Aid Society 90
members.

Tatnuck Congregational Church. — This church was organized in
1908 as the result of Sunday school and Christian Endeavor work on the
part of several city churches for a long time. It was a community move-
ment which Iniilt the building in 11)14, several local organizations giving
property and funds. Their very commodious building stands in the
centre of what was once Tatnuck Square, and affords a meeting place for
several organizations not connected with the church, as the Farmers'
Club and the Tatnuck Sewing Circle, an organization with seventy years
of history. The church is in one of the most beautiful and rapidly
growing sections of the city. Rev. John H. Mathews was acting pastor
1908-10; Rev. Frank J. Lombard, acting pastor 1910-11; Rev. H. E.
Lombard became the first regular pastor in 1911, and was succeeded in
1914 by the present pastor, Rev. x\lbert S. Hawkes. The Woman's
Association, which handles the women's activities in the church and in
missions, was organized in 1912.

Worcester Congregational Club. — The following narrative is con-
tributed :

When the Worcester Congregational Club was organized, only three others were
in existence— the Congregational Club in Boston, the Essex Ct)ngregational Club in
Essex county, and the North Bristol Congregational Club in Taunton. The first steps
towards forming the club were taken late in the autumn of 1874. Upon invitation of
Rev. E. Cutler, D. D., of Union Church, a few gentlemen from each of the Congrega-
tional societies in Worcester, with others from neighboring towns, assembled on Nov.
23rd in the parlors of the Central Church and effected a temporary organization by
the choice of Dr. Cutler as chairman and Charles E. Stevens as secretary. Subse-
quent meetings were held ; a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the club was
constituted. The first annual meeting was held in the Bay State House, Monday, Jan.
18, 1875, and a permanent organization was effected by election of officers. The num-
ber of members on the roll at this meeting was 71, all of whom, however, did not per-
fect their membership, and the number of full members at the close of the same year
was 87.

The place of meeting was in hotels, halls and church chapels, the club finally set-
tling upon the Association building. Since Association Hall has passed out of the
hands of the Young Men's Christian Association the meetings have been held in the
main dining room of the State Mutual Restaurant. Later at Washburn Hall, now at
the Bancroft.

In April, 1878, the membership was limited to 135 ; this was enlarged to 175 in
April, 1882; in January, 1891, it was enlarged to 200; and again in January, 1897, it was
enlarged to 225. On January 16, 191 1, it was voted to fix the limit of membership at
250, where it now stands.

In 1915 the club published a pamphlet containing a history with a list of the
speakers and their subjects. Many of the addresses have been of high educational value
and most of them interesting and instructive. The speakers have been: Revs. Dr. E.
Cutler, J. E. Fullerton, Stacy Fowler, C. M. Lamson ; Hon. P. Emory Aldrich ; Revs.
DeWitt S. Clark, Dr. Seth Sweetser, A. P. Marvin, A. H. Coolidge; Messrs. C. O.
Thompson, B. D. Allen ; Rev. Dr. A. E. P. Perkins ; Hartley Williams, Chas. E. Stev-

AND ITS PEOPLE 823

ens; Revs. H. P. DeForest, G. H. DeBevoise, Geo. W. Phillips; A. G. Biscoe; Revs.
Geo. M. Howe, J. H. Windsor, Dr. D. O. Mears, J. L. Ewell, Dr. Daniel Merriman,
A. B. Emmons; Geo. I. Alden, W. H. Briggs; Rev. Chas. Wetherby; F. W. Russell,
Edward P. Smith ; Revs. W. DeLoss Love, J. L. Scudder ; Edward Whitney ; Revs.
Dr. S. L. Blake, J. F. Gaylor, H. A. Stimson, T. F. Levering; C. T. Symmes ; Prof.
Egbert C. Smyth, D. D., of Andover; Rev. E. H. Byington ; Prof. Timothy Dwight,
LL.D., of Yale; Rev. Geo. A. Putnam; Homer T. Fuller, Ph. D., Henry M. Smith;
Revs. H. A. Stimson, C. P. Blanchard; Jos. A. Dodge; Revs. G. S. Dodge, A. Bryant;
Prof. Benj. C. Blodgett; Revs. S. P. Wilder, W. T. Sleeper; Geo. W. Cable, Wm. T.
Forbes ; Revs. A. H. Coolidge, C. M. Southgate, Caleb T. Symmes, Frank H. Allen ;
Prof. John B. Clark; Burton W. Potter; Revs. Sylvanus Hayward, L J. Lansing, B. A.
Robie, Dr. G. H. Gould, J. F. Gaylord, Dr. W. V. W. Davis ; Edwin H. Baker ; Revs.
F. B. Makepeace, W. F. Crafts, Marshall M. Cutter, Dr. Graham Taylor, Alfred T.
Perry, Edward G. Fullerton ; A. W. Edson, T. M. Balliet, Amos Armsby ; Revs. O. P.
Gififord, Dr. A. McCullagh ; G. Henry Whitcomb ; Revs. Dr. A. Z. Conrad, John L.
Scudder, J. Winthrop Hegeman ; Robert Woods, Samuel B. Capen ; Revs. Hugh Mont-
gomery, Daniel Merriman; S. C. Willis, Jr.; Revs. Albert Bryant, Percy S. Grant;
Hon. Geo. F. Hoar; Revs. Dr. C. L. Thompson, Dr. Elijah Horr, Dr. Geo. A. Gordon,
W. D. P. Bliss, Geo. P. Eastman, Dr. A. T. Pierson, J. E. Hurlbut; Miss O. M. E.
Rowe, Chas. Carleton Coffin, Chas. F. Carroll ; Rev. Dr. John Hall, T. G. Mendenhall,
LL.D., P. W. Moen; Revs. W. B. Oleson, Dr. Josiah Strong, C. M. Southgate; M. M.
Taylor ; Rev. F. F. Emerson, E. R. Goodwin, Sherman W. Brown, Geo. H. Mellen,
L. C. Muzzy, W. H. Bartlett, L. P. Goddard, Dr. E. A. Murdock, Edgar E. Thomp-
son, Jesse Allen ; Revs. Dr. Edward L. Clark, Stephen B. L. Penrose, Dr. A. H. Brad-
ford, W. W. Jordan, Dr. Wallace Nutting, H. A. Blake, Dr. Eldridge Mix, Dr. Chas.

E. Jefferson; Dr. John E. Tuttle, John E. Sewall, Dr. Geo. F. Pentecost; Mrs. Alice
Freeman Palmer; Revs. Dr. A. F. SchaufBer, Alex. Lewis, Dr. W. H. Harris; F. O.
Winslow, William Woodward ; Revs. Dr. Chas. M. Allen, Dr. David J. Burrill, Dr. Wil-
lard Scott, A. J. F. Behrends, Frank L. Goodspeed, David M. Means; Prof. Wm. H.
Ryder; Rev. N. Dwight Hillis ; Arthur R. Kinball, Thomas J. Gargan ; Rev. Amos
H. Coolidge; Amos R. Wells; Dr. John C. Berry; Rev. Dr. John H. Barrows; Prof.
Edwin A. Grosvenor, Prof. Williston Walker ; Rev. Dr. A. E. Dunning, Rev. Dr.
Samuel H. Virgin, Rev. A. W. Hitchcock ; Booker T. Washington ; Revs. Dr. Edwin
P. Parker, J. F. Gaylord; John A. Sherman, C. Henry Hutchins, G. Stanley Hall,
LL.D. ; Revs. S. Parkes Cadman, Dr. Frank Crane ; John S. Gould ; Rev. Joseph W.
Cochran; Helen M. Cole; Rev. Francis J. Van Horn; E. W. Wilder, Homer P.
Lewis, Frank H. Robson, J. Chauncey Lyford, E. H. Russell, Louis Elson, Albert M.
Shattuck, M. D. ; Rev. Chauncy Hawkins ; Prof. W. H. Burnham ; Rev. Dr. John
W. Platner; Geo. P. Morris; Rev. Andrew B. Chalmers; S. B. Carter; Revs. F. E.
Emrich, Dr. Reuben A. Beard, Dr. Chas. C. Hall, W. E. Darby, B. F. Trueblood, Arte-
mas J. Haynes ; Clinton Alvord, M. P. Higgins, James Logan ; Revs. John L. Evans,
Thos. E. Babb ; John F. Tobin, Hon. David J. Brewer ; Rev. Dr. William E. Griffis,
Rev. Percy H. Epler; Robert S. Gailey, Rev. Chas. L. Close; Prof. John Duxberry;
Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden; Prof. George E. Gardner; Rev. Clifton H. Mix; Prof.

F. C. Sumicharst; Rev. Dr. John J. McCoy; Prof. Hugh Block; Rev. Lyman Abbott,
Hon. E. C. Potter; Rev. E. G. Zellars ; Rev. Nacy McGee Waters, Rev. J. H. Mat-
thews, Rev. Dr. E. P. Drew, Rev. Samuel McComb ; Dr. E. H. Trowbridge, Hon.
Geo. B. Utter ; Rev. Rockwell H. Potter ; Gov. John L. Bates, Geo. C. Whitney, Chas.
N. Prouty, E. T. Chapin, W. M. Spaulding, Richard Watson Gilder, Jacob A. Riis;
Revs. Dr. Chas. H. Parkhurst, Peter McMillan; Prof. Edward A. Steiner; Revs.
Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus, Dr. Henry C. King, Dr. Nehemiah Boynton, Dr. Henry S.
Bradley, Dr. Charles R. Brown; Hon. Leslie M. Shaw; Revs. Dr. Gains G. Atkins, Dr.
Newell D. Hillis, John L. Kilborn ; Gustatvus J. Esselen, Jr. ; Rev. Edward M. Noyes ;
Drs. George Hodges, Cornelius H. Patton, Dr. Ernest F. Nichols; Rev. Dr. James

824 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

B. Gregg; Prof. William Pickens; Rev. Jesse Halsey; Hon. A. J. Beveridge, Hon.
Samuel W. McCall, P. P. Claxton, Robert A. Woods, Hon. Simeon D. Fess, Hon.
John W. Weeks ; Rev. Dr. Raymond Calkins.

Presidents.— Rev. E. Cutler, D. D., 1875-76; Philip L. Aloen, 1877-78; Rev.

C. M. Lamson, 1879; C. O. Thompson, 1880-81; Rev. A. P. Marvin, 1882; Samuel
R. Heywood, 1883; Edward Whitney, 1884-85; G. Henry Whitcomb, 1886-87; Rev. A.
H. Coolidge, 1888; Arthur M. Stone, 1889-90; Rev. Geo. H. Gould, 1891 ; Rev. I.
J. Lansing, 1892; W. T. Forbes, 1893; Rev. C. M. Southgate, 1894; Chas. A. Denny,
1895; Rev. A. McCullagh, D. D., 1896; C. Henry Hutchins, 1897; Rev. A. Z. Conrad,

D. D., 1898; James Logan, 1899; Rev. Geo. P. Eastman, 1900; John C. Berry, M. D.,
190 1 ; Rev. Alexander Lewis, 1902; Clarence F. Carroll, 1903; Geo. L Alden, 1903;
Rev. John A. Thurston, 1904; John S. Gould, 1905; Rev. A. W. Hitchcock, 1906;
Frank H. Robson, 1907-8; Rev. A. B. Chalmers, D. D., 1909; Charles F. Marble, 1910;
Rev. Edward P. Drew, D. D., 1911 ; Charles E. Burbank, 1912; Rev. Percy H. Epler,
1913; Hon. Clarence W. Hobbs, Jr., 1914; Rev. Francis A. Poole, 1915; Elmer C. Pot-
ter, 1916; Rev. H. S. Bradley, 1917; Julius Garst, 1918.

Vice-Presidents. — Philip L. Moen, 1875-76 ; C. L. Swan, 1875-76 ; Rev. C. M. Lamson,
1877-78; Sam. M. Lane, 1877; Arthur G. Biscoe, 1878; L. J: Knowles, 1879 ; J. L. Bush,
1879-80-81; Geo. H. Gould, D. D., 1880-81; William R. Hill. 1882; Dan'l Merriman,

D. D., i882-'94; Rev. G. H. DeBevoise, 1883; Samuel E. Hildreth, 1883; Charles E,
Stevens, 1884-85; Rev. A. H. Coolidge, 1884-5, '87; Rev. Henry A. Stimson, 1886
Rev. J. L. Ewell, 1886-87; P. Emory Aldrich, 1888; Arthur M. Stone, 1888; Rev. I
J. Lansing, 1889-90; W. T. Forbes, 1889-92; Chas. A. Denny, 1890-91; Rev. C. M
Southgate, 1891-92; Rev. W. V. W. Davis, D. D., 1893; William Woodward, 1893
George K. Nichols, 1894; Rev. A. McCullagh, D. D., 1895; G. Henry Hutchins, 1895
Rev. A. Z. Conrad, D. D., 1896; L. L. Whitney, 1896; Sherman W. Brown, 1897
James Logan, 1897-98; Rev. Geo. P. Eastman, 1898; Rev. Alexander Lewis, 1899
Homer P. Lewis, 1899-1900; Rev. I. L. Willcox, 1900; Charles N. Prouty, 1901 ; W
T. Forbes, 1901 ; Henry H. Merriam, 1902; Rev. A. W. Hitchcock, 1902; George I
Alden, 1903; John S. Gould, 1903-04; Rev. F. J. Van Horn, D. D., 1904; Willis E
Sibley, 1905 ; George L. Brownell. 1905 ; Rev. A. B. Chalmers, D. D., 1906 ; Rev. J
J. Walker, 1906; Henry H. Merriam, 1907, 1908; Rev. C. H. Mix, 1907, 1908; M. P
Higgins, 1909 ; Rev. E. P. Drew, D. D., 1909 ; Rev. Shepherd Knapp, 1910 ; Hon. Elmer
C. Potter, 1910; Paul B. Morgan, 191 1; Rev. G. H. Cummings, 191 1; Rev. John L.
Sewall, 1912; Hon. Charles N. Prouty, 1912; Rev. Henry S. Bradley, D. D., 1913;
George F. Booth, 1913; Rev. Francis A. Poole, 1914; Hon. Julius Garst, 191 1.

Secretaries. — Charles E. Stevens, 1875-77; Edward P. Smith, 1878-79; Rev. Geo.
W. Phillips, 1880; C. Henry Hutchins, 1881-82; Henry M. Smith, 1883; Charles F.
Mann, 1884-86; F. W. Southwick, 1887; U. W. Cutler, 1888; F. W. Ruggles, 1889;
W. P. Rowell, 1890-92; Elmer G. Tucker, 1893-96; A. W. Edson, 1897; C. W. White,
1898; Geo. L. Brownell, 1899; Geo. W. Mackintire, 1900-01; John W. Higgins, 1902-
06; Fred L. Willis, 1907, 1908; Elmer G. Tucker, 1909-13; J. Harvey Curtis, 1914;
George F. Booth, 1913; Rev. Francis A. Poole, 1914; Hon. Julius Garst, 1914.

Treasurers. — G. Henry Whitcomb, 1875-79; Charles A. Lincoln, 1880-82; Edwin
Eldred, 1883 ; Arthur M. Stone. 1884-86 ; George H. Estabrook, 1887 ; William Wood-
ward, 1888; A. C. Munroe, 1889; E. M. Bond, 1890-91; Clinton AL Dyer, 1892-1901 ;
A. H. Stone, 1902; H. Ward Bates, 1903-05; Frank A. Drury, 1506; Dana M. Dustan,
1907-1915; Thos. Macduff, 1916-17-18.

Auditors. — Joseph B. Adams, 1875-76; S. R. Heywood, 1877; Hartley Williams,
1878-81 ; George L Alden, 1882 ; Arthur E. Gray, 1883 ; C. H. Hutchins, 1884-85 ; Thos.

E. N. Eaton, 1886; Chas. A. Peabody, M. D., 1887; Charles H. Morgan, 1888; William
Woodward, 1889; Amos Armsby, 1890; E. H. Baker, 1891 ; H. F. Wing, 1892; Ben-
jamin Brierly, 1893; S. C. Willis, Jr., 1894; A. W. Edson, 1895; H. P. Starr, 1896;

AND ITS PEOPLE 825

A. L. Joslin, 1897; Arthur E. Gray, 1898; Wilber W. Hobbs, 1899; A. L. Fisher,
1900; E. E. Howe, 1901-17; Joseph A. Dodge, 1902; J. D. Gregory, 1903-04; Geo.
W. Mackintire, 1905-13 ; Edward C. Whitney, 1914-16.

Speakers. — Prof. Edward C. Moore, D. D. ; Hon. Stephen Panaretoff, Bulgarian
Minister to U. S. ; Amos P. Wilder, former Consul-General at Shanghai, China ; Prof.
Albert Bushnell Hart, of Harvard University; Prof. Edward A. Steiner, of Grinnell
College, la.; Prof. John Winthrop Piatner, of Andover Theo. Seminary; Dr. Howard
W. Beal, of Worcester; Rev. Chas. E. Jefferson, D. D., of New York; F. A. Upham,
of Three Rivers, Mass. ; Hon. Herbert Knox Smith, of Hartford, Conn. ; Prof. Al-
bert E. Bailey, of Worcester; Hamilton S. Conant, of Boston; Margaret Slattery;
Rev. James Wylie, D. D., of Worcester; Rev. Albert Parker Fitch, D. D., Pres. An-
dover Theo. Sem. ; Rev. Hugh Black, D. D., of New York ; Rev. Frederick Lynch, D.
D., of New York; Robert E. Speer, D. D., of New York; Dr. Eugene A. Crockett, of
Boston.

826

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

CHAPTER LIII

Baptist Church — The First — Main Street — Pleasant Street — Dewey
Street — Lincoln Square — Newton Square — South Church — Adams
Square — Greendale — Quinsigamond — Oak Hill — First Free-
will— City Mission Board — Jamesville — City Mission
Board — Missions — Social Union

First Baptist Church. — The following narrative is contributed by
Mr. Arthur J. Bean, clerk of the church:

The First Baptist Church of Worcester was the third organized body of wor-
shippers in the town, and in its early days met active opposition from the First or
town church, now known as the Old South Congregational ; while the Second, or
Unitarian church, possibly remembering its own struggle in 1785, was more friendly
to the new organization. The only Baptists known here in colonial times were brought
by the constables of neighboring towns to be held in jail for non-payment of their
ministerial rates.

In 1795 came James Wilson, from Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He was an ardent
Baptist, having left England to enjoy religious freedom, and became active in mis-
sionary endeavor. Occasional meetings were held by itinerant elders at the house of
Mr. Wilson. The first converts were baptized in May, 1812, and the whole Baptist en-
deavor was carried on as a mission under the care of the Baptist church at Tiverton,
R. I., whence came the first pastor of the local church, Rev. William Bentley, who settled
here in the summer of 181*2 to be the resident preacher at a salary of $300 per year.
On Dec. 9, 1812, the church was formally organized with twenty-eight members, four-
teen each of men and women. The young church grew rapidly, and the first meeting
house was built at Salem Square at a cost of $2,459.31, being opened for worship, Dec.
23, 1813. Because of the small number of Baptist churches in this vicinity, the new
church was made a part of the Warren Association and so continued for some years.

In June, 1815, Pastor Bentley resigned, and in September following the church
called Rev. Jonathan Going. On assuming his pastoral duties in December, he began
to build foundations that yet remain in the policies and methods of the church. In
1816 Elder Going organized the Sabbath-school, the first in Worcester county. He was
especially active in temperance work, being considered a most radical extremist in
those days.

June 8, 1819, the Legislature granted an act of incorporation to the Baptist Society
in Worcester, it not being until then a legal corporate body. From the beginning, a
society had charge of the place of worship and of the raising of money for payment
of its pastor and other expenses. This society now became the corporate body for le-
gal purposes, and was distinct from its church proper, which embraced only baptised
believers.

Pastor Going was a man of great powers of organization, and to him must be
given the credit for forming in 1819 the Worcester Baptist Association. He also
called the meeting from which resulted what is now known as Worcester Academy.
One-half of the first funds for this school were given by members of the First Bap-
tist Church. In 1816 Dr. Going introduced a custom since maintained by the church
of giving in a systematic manner for benevolent purposes. In 1826 the church build-
ing was enlarged, and forty pews were added in a manner much more efficient than
beautiful. A tower was also added, and a bell hung therein. Dr. Going resigned in

828

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

December, 1831, to become corresponding secretary of the American Baptist Home
Mission Society, which had been founded through his efforts.

The pastorate of Rev. Frederick A. Willard, who succeeded Dr. Going, was three
and a half years, and that of Rev. Jonathan Aldrich, the next pastor, was two and a
half years. Both these pastorates were marked by intense revivals, 93 baptisms being
reported in 1832, the first year of Mr. Willard's, while 79 united in 1837, the first year
of Mr. Aldrich's pastorate.

The church had now become "very large" and it was decided to build in a new
location and form two churches. In April, 1836, the Elm St. Baptist Society was in-
corporated and preparations were made to build upon the lot where the church of the
Unity now stands, when on May 21. 1836, the First Church building and contents were
burned, supposedly by an incendiary. There was no insurance, and the proposed divi-
sion was abandoned. The new building, erected at a cost of $17,000, was dedicated in
October, 1836, and is still standing on the site at Salem Square.

SALEM SQUARE ("BAPTIST HILL"),
Showing Church and Brick School House at the foot of the Common.

Rev. Samuel B. Swain was pastor from April, 1839, to May, 1854, and his pastor-
ate was one of power in his church, the town, and the denomination. In 1841, 67 mem-
bers were dismissed to form the Second Baptist Church, known as the Pleasant St.
Church, and thirty other members were soon after dismissed \q the new body. Rapid
growth marked both bodies ; and in 1844 the First Church again enlarged the build-
ing and a baptistry was installed. Previous to this, baptisms had been made usually in
Flagg's pond, where St. John's Church now stands on Temple street, or in the vicinity
of the old Crompton Mill. In a few instances the ordinance was observed at Salis-
bury's Pond, and also at a place near the corner of Thomas and Union streets. In 1853
the pews in the First Church were held as private property, and more than $10,000 was
raised to purchase these rights, and all but one or two were thus acquired. A rental
system was then established.

Rev. J. D. E. Jones, pastor from 1855 to 1859, resigned to become superintendent
of public schools. He was succeeded by Rev. Lemuel Moss, who was pastor from Au-

AND ITS PEOPLE 829

gust, i860, to July, 1864. On December 9, 1862, the church celebrated its fiftieth anni-
versary, the address being given by Hon. Isaac Davis, a notable benefactor of the
church, its historian, and a munificent contributor. His address was printed.

Rev. H. K. Pervear was pastor from April, 1865, to December, 1872, and the church
had so marked a growth that the meeting house was enlarged in 1868-69 at a cost of
$13,000. In the plans for church work are to be noted a church census, and other very
advanced means of evangelistic endeavor.

The ninth pastor, B. D. Marshall, D. D., began his labors in April, 1873. This
pastorate marked an interval in church life that has been called the family period, as it
was especially a time for the cultivation of the home people and the children of the
parish. Much missionary work was done and several of the endowment funds of the
church were established to further special features. Missions were established and
maintained at Quinsigamond (1875), Lincoln Square (1879), Greendale and Valley
Falls (1876). Dr. Marshall resigned in April, 1887.

In January, 1888, Rev. George G. Craft became pastor and served until October,
1894. In 1889 the building was renovated and a new organ installed. In 1891 the mis-
sion at Quinsigamond was organized, as a branch church. Rev. Mr. Craft resigned in
November, 1894, being succeeded in January, 1896, by Spencer B. Meeser, D. D., under
whose pastorate the church reached its largest membership at Salem Square, having
531 members in 1897, the same year that saw the change of the Greendale mission into
another independent church. In 1902 Dr. Meeser resigned to accept a call to Cleveland,
Ohio.

After Dr. Messer left, steps wer6 taken to again unite into one body the First
Church and the Main St. Church, and in June, 1902, the final union was made, the first
service being on Children's Sunday, when as a body the old First Church went to the
Main street edifice. The consolidated church called as its first pastor. Dr. Lemuel Call
Barnes, who began his work in November, 1902. Land was bought on Main street at
the corner of Ionic avenue, and the present new stone building was erected, the corner
stone being laid in December, 1905 ; the first service was held in the vestry in April,
1907, and the dedication took place October 27, 1907. The entire cost of land and
buildings were slightly more than $200,000. Funds were obtained from the sale of both
the old meeting houses, and by subscriptions, the largest individual gift being $50,000 re-
ceived from William H. Dexter.

Dr. Barnes resigned in February, 1908, to become field secretary of the American
Baptist Home Mission Society, leaving a church strongly organized in all respects.
The membership at this time was 834 in the main church, while three branches at Bea-
con St., Jamesville and Manchaug, brought the total enrollment to 1,071. During Dr.
Barnes' pastorate over 500 names were added to the church rolls.

After an interval without a pastor, Rev. AUyn King Foster assumed the office
in November, 1909, and until December, 1915, he occupied the pulpit of what has been
called the most strategic of any Baptist church in New England. In 1913 the entire
mortgage indebtedness of about $40,000 was paid. Mr. Foster resigned in December,
191S, having accepted a call to a Brooklyn, (N. Y.) pulpit.

The centennial celebration of the church was observed during the week beginning
November 10, 1912. On SuViday, Dr. Barnes and Dr. Spencer B. Meeser preached.
A family gathering was held Monday evening, attended by 500, and addressed by form-
er pastors Craft, Pendleton, Thomas, Bakeman ; Charles H. Moss, son of Lemuel, a
former pastor, and F. B. Cressy, grandson of another pastor. On Tuesday evening a
great gathering of the Young People's societies of the city was addressed by Rev.
Allen A. Stockdale of Boston. All Baptist churches omitted Wednesday evening
prayer meetings to unite with the church in a meeting at which Rev. Dr. F. W. Padel-
ford and Rev. Dr. Weeks were the speakers. On Thursday there was a conference of
Boy Workers under Ernest R. Whitman ; on Friday Rev. S. Parkes Cadman spoke at
a great interdenominational meeting. (See Worcester Mag. Dec, 1912).

830 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

In October, 1916, the present pastor, Rev. William Roy McNutt, began his service
and the church is well entered on a phase of activity that may well be called institutional
in character. The present membership is 906 in the main church, while the branches
bring the total to 1103. The yearly budget includes $14,000 for local work and support,
while total beneficence funds reach $4,700. In 1916 a floating indebtedness of $9,000
was paid, leaving the church entirely free of any debt of any kind.

A year's leave of absence was granted to Rev. Mr. McNutt in January, 1918, to
permit him to go to France for the Y. M. C. A. National War Work. He sailed
January i6th. A farewell reception was given by the church.

Throughout its existence this church has been a missionary body, and has in-
cluded in its membership more than the usual number of active missionaries and mis-
sion workers. By its activity in the local field it has truly become the mother of the
Baptist churches of the region. Marked by a particularly happy and harmonious
existence the church stands today a worthy monument to the early efforts of the Bap-
tists of the city.

Pleasant Street Baptist Church. — At a meeting of twenty-five mem-
bers of the First Baptist Church at the home of Daniel Goddard, Novem-
ber 23, 1841, a conference for the purpose of forming a new church, was
formed, with Martin Jacobs as chairman and Austin G. Fitch as clerk.
Separate public service was held for the first time December 12, 1841,
and at a council held December 28, the Second Baptist Church was for-
mally recognized. Of the ninety-eight constituent members, eighty-nine
w^ere from the First Church. Within a year the membership was
doubled. The name was changed afterward to Pleasant Street Baptist
Church.

Rev. John Jennings, the first minister, accepted a call January 1,
1842; he resigned November 27, 1849. Rev. Charles K. Culver, of
Watertown, succeeded him, serving from April 14, 1880, to 1854. Rev.
Daniel W. Faunce had a very successful pastorate from September 1,
1854, to April 30, 1860. Rev. J. J. Tucker was pastor from June 18, 1860,
to September 1, 1861; and Rev. David Weston from June 9, 1862, to
December 4, 18T0. "He was a remarkably able preacher, a wise and
judicious leader and teacher. During his years of service 100 were
admitted by baptisms, 125 by letter and experience."

Rev. I. R. Wheelock was pastor from July 10, 18T2, to March 31,
1875; Rev. Sullivan L. Holman, installed June 10, 1875, resigned March
10, 1882; Rev. Henr>' F. Lane, January 7, 1883, to March 1, 1888; Hor-
ace Jerome White, August 1, 1888, to August 30, 1896; Rev. Woodman
Bradbury, April 8, 1897, to March 10, 1901, (a most scholarly and spir-
itual preacher; one of the happiest and sweetest pastorates of our recol-
lection). Rev. George B. Lawson was pastor from September, 1901, to
August 19, 1902; Rev. Simeon Spidle, June 14, 1903, to June 7, 1908; Mr.
Spidle is at present professor in Acadia College, Wolfville, Nova Sco-
tia. Rev. Thomas J. Cross, "one of the kindest and most faithful pas-
tors this church ever had," served October 4, 1908, to October 1, 1911.
Rev. William A. Lee began February 4, 1912, and closed it February 29,
1916, to become pastor of the Central Congregational Church of Atlanta,

AND ITS PEOPLE 831

Georgia, "he was an interesting and eloquent preacher." The present
pastor, Rev. Charles J. Jones, was called October 10, 1916, and installed
in December. He had been for ten years and a half pastor of the Tren-
ton Street Baptist Church of East Boston.

The first place of worship was in the Town Hall. The first meeting
house was built on Pleasant street, about 200 feet from Main, on a lot
80 feet square, costing $1,600. No society was organized, the church
itself being incorporated to hold real estate. The church was occupied
January 4, 1844. In 1856 the building was remodeled. Steps were taken
in 1889 to build a new meeting house and a building committee consisting
of J. P. Cheney, R. F. Comstock, F. H. Pelton, C. F. Brooks and C. A.
Goddard, was appointed May 7, 1889. The old building and lot were
sold for $48,000, and the present structure erected at the corner of Pleas-
ant and Ashland streets. Ground was broken June 9, 1890; the corner-
stone laid August 4, 1890 ; the first service in the new church held Jan-
uary 18, 1891. The total cost was $65,000, and the house was dedicated
April 21, 1891, free of debt.

The church has been loyal in support of home and foreign missions,
and has been represented by a member in the foreign field. Miss Eliza-
beth Lawson, since 1880. Aid has been given to the younger Baptist
churches from time to time. Nearly seventy-five members formed the
colony that established the Lincoln Square Baptist Church.

In seventy-five years there have been but five clerks: Charles H.
Hill, about fourteen years; Joel Howe, about nine years; Alden Howe,
about five years; Charles Ballard, about five years; Joseph P. Cheney,
since 1874. The following have been deacons: Daniel Godard (41
years) ; Jeremiah Bond ; Martin Jacobs (27 years) ; Jonas Hartshorn
(25 years) ; Luther Ross (17 years) ; Robert F. Comstock (41 years) ;
Albert N. Chase; Joseph P. Cheney (since 1874); George W. Eames;
Woodbridge Burnham ; Abram Everett ; Lyman E. Hastings (20 years) ;
George F. Brooks (since 1895) ; Frank H. Howe (since 1899) ; James F.
Upham; H. Joseph Knight; Benjamin F. Porter; Willis B. Chamber-
lain; Fred E. Waring; Wright E. Burnham; Harry Pickwick; John
Partridge. (See pamphlet written by Joseph P. Cheney, on the occa-
sion of the seventy-fifth anniversary, Jan. 1, 1917).

Main Street Baptist Church. — The second colony from the First
Baptist Church was led by Eli Thayer and others in June, 1852. Rev.
Dr. Sharp of Boston, preached the first sermon to the new church in the
City Hall, and public worship continued there until November, after
which Brinley Hall was the place of worship. A Sunday school was
organized, and Rev. S. S. Cutting preached during the winter of 1852-53.
A parish was formed February 26, 1853, under the name of the Third
Baptist Society of Worcester. On March 6 the "New Hampshire Ar-
ticles of Faith and Covenant" were adopted, and Rev. William H, F.
Hansel called as pastor, but he declined.

832 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

The parish voted May 18, 1853, to build a chapel at corner of Lei-
cester (now Hermon) and Main streets. The new church was formally
recognized June 23, when Rev. Dr. Ide of Springfield, preached. The
land and building cost $6,461.17, and the first services were held in the
chapel on the first Sunday in January, 1854. Rev. H. L. Wayland, the
first pastor, was ordained Nov. 1, 1854. After a highly successful pastor-
ate he resigned in October, 1861, to become chaplain of the Seventh Con-
necticut Regiment, and was afterward a college instructor and editor.
His successor, Rev. Joseph Banvard, began his pastorate in May, 1862,
and served four years.

The plans for the first meeting house were adopted February 12,

1855. Ground was broken in May, and the church occupied in January,

1856. The cost of the property was over $25,000. The parish adopted
the name, "Main Street Baptist Society," February 15, 1864. In 1877
the chapel was enlarged at a cost of about $5,000.

Under Rev. George B. Gow, the third pastor, April, 1867, — Nov.,
1872, Dewey Street Church was organized as the outcome of a mission
conducted by the church. During this time Worcester Academy was
kept as a separate and local institution by the gift of funds by the church
members.

The fourth pastor was Rev. F. W. Bakeman, May, 1873, — July,
1876.

Services for the French people then begun resulted in the present
French chapel and work on Beacon street. Rev. George E. Hoar, pas-
tor from November, 1877, to November, 1881, was active in forming
the City Mission Board, and during his term the building was enlarged.

Rev. Henry A. Rogers of Montpelier, Vt., was the sixth pastor, from
January, 1883, — October 27, 1886. Canterbury Street Chapel was built,
and in 1884 the Jamesville Branch was organized, and under the leader-
ship of Rev. Mr. Rogers fifty-five members left to form the South Baptist
Church. Prof. Charles R. Brown, of the Newton Theological Seminary,
was acting pastor for a time.

Rev. Charles H. Pendleton served Sept., 1887,— April, 1894, to be
followed by Rev. Leo B. Thomas, July, 1896,— Dec, 1901. In 1895,
Rev. Howard B. Grose was in charge. In this period the meeting house
was renovated at a cost of about $9,000, and an new organ installed.
The largest Main street membership was in 1901, 384 members. In 1902
this church again joined with the First Church.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the ordination of the first pastor
was appropriately celebrated November 2, 1879. Dr. Wayland himself
preached and his discourse was published. After February 10, 1881,
membership in the parish was limited to members of the church. In
1883 a unique way of abolishing the double government was found. The
property was deeded to the deacons in trust for the church and the parish
meeting adjourned and though not formally dissolved, it was afterward
defunct.

AND ITS PEOPLE 833

Dewey Street Baptist Church. — A Sunday school, organized in the
Mason street school house, the first Sunday in August, 1867, by L. M.
Sargent and others, was the foundation of this church. For many
years Hon. Joseph H. Walker was superintendent, and the school grew
rapidly. A chapel was built on Dewey street on a lot given by Hon.
Francis H. Dewey, Sr., and Joseph Mason, the property valued at about
$5,000. After the chapel was dedicated, February 8, 1872, religious
services were held there and a church was organized July 8, with twenty-
eight members.

The first pastor was L. M. Sargent, a layman, founder of the church;
he was called May 2, 1872. The church was formally recognized in a
council held September 5. Mr. Sargent resigned on account of ill health.
May 2, 1873. Rev. D. F. Lamson, the second pastor, served from June
1, 1973, to January 1, 1882; Rev. B. H. Lane from June 1, 1882, to Octo-
ber 15, 1884; Rev. Darius H. Stoddard from October 19, 1884, to Mar.
24, 1893; Rev. Albert W. Weeks, Aug 1, 1893, to May 19, 1895; Rev.
Harlan Page Smith, Apr. 1, 1895, to June 30, 1898 ; Rev. Orson E. Mal-
lory, Oct. 1, 1898, to Oct. 1, 1911; Rev. John C. Breaker, Mar. 20, 1912,
to Nov. 5, 1916; Rev. Matthew Francis came March 1, 1917.

The meeting house at 305 Park avenue was built during Mr. Stod-
dard's pastorate. He was aided by the City Mission Board, which con-
tributed $7,000, and more land was purchased. The church cost $14,-
666.18. It was first used for services on Thanksgiving Day in 1886, and
dedicated January 13, 1887. There is no parish organization ; the seats
are free. From time to time the church has been altered and improved.

Lincoln Square Baptist Church. — This church was organized April
4, 1881, with thirty-one members, coming chiefly from the Pleasant Street
Church. During the following summer Rev. D. F. Lamson of the Dewey
Street Church filled the pulpit. The first pastor. Rev. Judson J. Miller,
came in October. Services were first held in a hall, but through the
energy and industry of the pastor funds were raised, and in May, 1882,
the lot on Highland street near Main was occupied by the present meet-
ing house was bought and the church dedicated June 10, 1884. The
total cost was about $30,000, the largest contributors being Hon. Joseph
H. Walker and the Main Street Baptist Church. The seats are free;
there is no parish.

The church has been favored with able and popular ministers. Mr.
Miller's pastorate ended in 1892. He was succeeded by Rev. Frank S.
Weston, 1892-95; Rev. Frank D. Penny was pastor from 1897 to 1902;
Rev. Edward M. Saunier, 1903-1913; Rev. David Miller, since 1914.
The church had an Italian Mission on Shrewsbury street. Gaetano Lisi
was in charge 1911-12; and Antonio Sannella has been pastor since 1914.

Newton Square Baptist Church. — This church was organized as the
First Free Baptist Church of Worcester, April 7, 1881. For several
W.-I-S3.

834 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

years the place of meeting was a hall in the Clark Building. The brick
church building erected on Wellington street was first occupied in
March, 1892.

The Wellington street property was sold to the United Presbyterian
Church in May, 1903, and used jointly by the two bodies until the com-
pletion of the new frame building erected at the corner of Pleasant street
and Elm avenue, now Elmwood street. This building was first occupied
March 30, 1905.

The church was recognized as a regular Baptist church April 10,
1911, and the corporate name was changed to "Newton Square Baptist
Church of Worcester, Mass."

The church has been served by eleven pastors as follows : Revs. A.
J. Eastman, 1880-1882; Hibbert Lockhart, 1883-87; D. D. Mitchell,
1887-89; F. D. George, 1890-92; C. G. Mosher, 1893-95; John Malvern,
1896-97; Essek W. Kenyon, 1897-98; A. C. Thompson, 1898-1903; R.
S. W. Roberts, 1904-07; E. R. Coswell, 1907-10; George L. Hibbard,
1911 — .

South Baptist Church. — This church was organized Oct. 28, 1886,
in the Canterbury street chapel, by a colony from the Main street church,
from which 57 persons were dismissed for that purpose. Rev. Henry A.
Rogers was the first pastor. The oflfer of the Pilgrim Congregational
Church of the use of their meeting house was accepted vuitil the new
church had a home of its own. A lot was bought at the corner of Main
and Gates streets, of Calvin Hartshorn. Deacons Richardsons, Stevens,
Moulton and Ellis were elected trustees.

The City Mission Board offered the new church a chapel that was to
be moved from the Dewey street lot. Dean & Son contracted to move
the building, and the work was finally accomplished. The route was
through Park avenue, Shirley street, through vacant lots along Wood-
land street, across Clark University land to Main street, a distance of a
mile and a quarter. It was soon repaired and occupied. It was decided
to erect a new building, May 2, 1896. Fuller, Delano & Fuller prepared
the plans. The final service in the old church was held July 5, 1896, and
it was immedately taken down. J. G. Vaudreuil was the contractor at
about $15,000. William Wattie was chairman of the building committee.
Reed of West Boylston built the new organ. The building was partly
occupied the first Sunday in February, 1897. John R. Back, Rufus
Colby, W. J. Eddy, Dr. M. B. Flinn and James McNeill served on commit-
tees on organ, pews, heating, etc. The ladies of the church worked hard
to raise funds. A memorial window was given by Miss Carrie Pickford ;
another by Mr. Back; a third by the Young People's Society; a fourth
by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Howard ; and others by Sunday school classes.
Mr. Rogers was pastor until 1889. Since then the pastors have
been: Rev. E. B. Haskell, 1890-92; Rev. T. Richard Peede, 1893-1901;
Rev. Arthur S. Burrows, 1902-12; Rev. Manford D. Wolfe, 1913 — .

AND ITS PEOPLE 835

Adams Square Baptist Church. — This church was organized in 1889.
Its place of worship is at 190 Lincohi street, corner of Oilman. Rev.
Daniel W. Hoyt, the first pastor, from 1889 to 1897, and now, pastor
emeritus, is living in this city. Rev. John S. Holmes, 1898-1902, was
succeeded by Rev. Francis L. Church, 1903-05 ; Rev. Frank Hare was
pastor 1906-08; Rev. C. Percy Christopher, 1908-12; Rev. Mahlon S.
Tuneson, 1912-13. Since 1916, Rev. John S. Blair has been pastor.

Greendale Baptist Church. — This church grew out of a Baptist Sun-
day school established in 1884 and maintained until the church was
organized in 1897. Rev. Joseph Ellison was pastor in 1893. The meet-
ing house is on West Boylston street, Greendale.

The pastors have been : Rev. Guy F. Wheeler, 1897-1901 ; Rev.
Darius H. Stoddard (acting), 1902-03; Rev. WiUiam D. Mackinnon, 1904-
06; Rev. Charles T. Reekie, 1907-09; Rev. Walter L. Stone, the present
pastor, since 1910.

Quinsigamond Baptist Church. — This church, organized in 1901, has
its place of worship at Stebbins street. It grew out of a mission of the
First Baptist Church, organized in 1885 at Quinsigamond Village. Rev.
Guy F. Wheeler was pastor, 1892-96; Rev. Howard H. Roach, 1896-97;
Rev. John H. Bourne, 1898-1900; Rev. C. W. Turner, 1901-02; Rev.
Herbert J. Lane, 1903-05; Rev. Charles A. Nutting, 1905-1908; Rev.
Hamilton E. Chapman, since 1908.

Rev. Hamilton Edgar Chapman was born at North Stonington, Conn., August 14,
1865, son of Edgar and Mary H. (Smith) Chapman. He graduated from Brown
University (A. B. 1890) and Newton Seminary (1893) ; was pastor of churches at
New Hartford, Conn., 1893-95; Haverhill, 1895-1905; Millbury, 1905-09. He has been
clerk of the Worcester Baptist Association since 1908. He is a member of Phi Delta
Theta. He married in this city, June 18, 1890, S. Belle Coffin, born here December 15,
1869, daughter of George W. and Isabel (Carr) Coffin. Her father was born in
Lowell, 1832, was a wholesale confectioner in this city for thirty-five years, died here
in 1905; her mother was a native of Newmarket, N. H. Rev. Mr. Chapman has four
children: George H., graduate of Middlebury College (1916), now in the Coast Artil-
lery; Mabelle S., graduate of Wheelock School (1916) ; Eugene, married, 1915, Velma
Wood, and has a son, Carl W., born 1916; C. Barnard, born 1900.

Oak Hill Baptist Church.— The Oak Hill branch of the Lincoln
Square Baptist Church was started as a French mission by the Pleasant
Street Church in 1893, and became an independent church since Nov. 21,
1916, with 61 members. The place of worship is on Orient street. The
pastors have been : Rev. Arthur St. James, 1893-1903 ; Rev. William
D. MacKinnon, 1905-06 ; Rev. John H. Lingley, 1907-11 ; Rev. Fred. D.
Johnson, 1912-15; and Rev. Frank L. Hopkins, since 1916. Harry A.
Merson was clerk, 1917.

First Freewill Baptist Church. — The first meeting of the Freewell
Baptists was held at the home of Newell Tyler, September 14, 1880, and
from that time meetings at various houses were held until the church was
organized April 7, 1881, with thirty members. The church was incor-

836 HISTORY O'F WORCESTER

porated September 1, 188T. Rev. A. J. Eastman, the founder, was first
pastor, installed April 7, 1881. Rev. H. Lockhart, second pastor, served
from May 1, 1883, to March 1, 1887; Rev. D. D. Mitchell, 1887-90; F.
D. George, 1890-93; Rev. C. G. Mosher, 1894-5; John Malvern, 1896-7;
Rev. Essek W. Kenyon, 1897-98; Rev. Albert C. Thompson, 1898-1903;
Rev. Richard W. Roberts, 1904-07; Rev. Ernest R. Caswell, 1904-10.
George A. Whittemore was superintendent of the Sunday school for
many years.

The place of worship was in Free Baptist Hall, in the Clark Build-
ing, 492 Main street, until the building of the meeting house at 63 Well-
ington street, in 1892. The church was disbanded in 1910.

Jamesville Baptist Mission. — In 1885 a mission was established on
Clover street under the leadership of the old Main Street Baptist Church.
This mission has since grown to the proportions of a church in member-
ship and usefulness to the community. Among its ministers were :
Rev. S. T. Livermore, 1892-93; Rev. Arthur St. James, 1894-95; Rev.
Guy F. Wheeler, 1896-98; Rev. Charles R. Simmons, 1902; Rev. John
H. Lingley, 1905-06; Rev. Albert S. Woodworth, 1907-10. During the
years when there was no regular minister, the church was supplied by
pastors of the different churches. Rev. Leo Boone Thomas of the Main
Street Church, Rev. Simeon Spidle of the Pleasant Street Church, and
Rev. William D. MacKennon of the Greendale Church were among
these.

Since 1910, under the present leader, Curtis H. Morrow, the mis-
sion has doubled its membership, which is now 56, and trebled its Sun-
day school which now numbers 100.

Baptist City Mission Board. — This was organized in the Main Street
Baptist Church, November 6, 1880. Rev. G. E. Horr of the Main St.
Church, was chairman, and Rev. D. F. Lamson of the Dewey St. Church
was clerk. Four members of the First Baptist, Pleasant St., Main St.
and Dewey St. churches constituted the original board.

The immediate object of the Board was to have oversight of Bap-
tist missionary work already begun among the French of the city, and
to engage a resident missionary. Since its organization, its work has
been to aid churches, and to establish missions in the city wherever it
was thought advisable. Several of these missions have since become
self supporting churches.

The Beacon St. Chapel was the first built by the board ; then the
colored Baptists were aided in building a chapel on John St. The Swed-
ish brethren, after holding meetings in a hall, were aided to build a
church, and now there are two strong Swedish Baptist churches. Finan-
cial aid has been given in the building of Lincoln Square church, Dewey
street, Jamesville, South Baptist, Adams Square, Quinsigamond, Green-
dale and Oak Hill. Resident missionaries among the French Swedes,

AND ITS PEOPLE 837

Finns, and Italians have been supported wholly or in part, and have done
faithful work. The Board have expended upon the work more than $65,000
in the thirty-seven years.

Baptist Missions. — The French Baptist Mission founded in 1873 ;
The Harlem Street Baptist Church; The First Swedish Baptist Church;
the First Swedish-Finnish Baptist Church ; the French Baptist Mission-
ary Church, and the Italian Mission of the Lincoln Square Baptist
Church, are given under the heads of the nationalities to which they
belong.

The First Baptist Church supported a mission at 170 Beacon street
for many years ; it was founded in 1890. Rev. Arthur St. James was pas-
tor, 1892-1903, and Rev. S. C. Delagneau, 1903-1914.

A mission at Lakeview was flourishing in the early nineties, and had
as pastor Rev. J. H. Elison in 1893.

Baptist Social Union. — This was a loosely formed organization
founded in 1893 for holding dinners and social occasions at which mem-
bers of the denomination could be addressed by celebrated speakers from
outside. Franklin A. Caswell has been president in recent years ; John
R. Back, vice-president.

The Conference of Baptist ministers of Worcester and vicinity
includes in its membership the various clergymen of this denomination.
Rev. E. J. Nordlander was president in 1917.

CHAPTER LIV

Methodist Episcopal Church — Trinity Church — Grace Church — Trow-
bridge Memorial — Park Avenue — Church of the Covenant — Coral
Street — Laural Street — Various Societies

Methodist Episcopal Church. — The foundation of the present Trinity
Church, formerly the First Methodist, was laid when a parish known as
the "Methodist Episcopal Religious Society in the town of Worcester,"
was formed by thirteen persons. Rev. Freeborn Garrettson visited the
town in 1790, and Bishop Asbury in 1798, 1805, 1807, 1813 and 1815. But
Rev. John E. Risley preached the first Methodist sermon, in 1823, in the
school house in New Worcester. Rev. Dexter S. King was appointed
here in 1830, organized a class at New Worcester and preached once in
two weeks. Solomon Parsons and wife became Methodists and joined
in 1833 ; Jonathan L. Estey, who came in 1833, was the leader in the vil-
lage, hiring a room at the corner of Mechanic and Union streets early in
1833 for the use of a class. Rev. William Routledge preached here from
time to time; also in the vestry of Central Church and in the Baptist
Church. In the fall of 1833 the Town Hall was secured for meeting.
Early in 1834 Joseph A. Merrill, who was Conference Agt., occupied
the pulpit in Town Hall and it was this year that a legal organization
was formed, July 8. Under the advice of Bro. Merrill the people met
in Town Hall and a legal organization known as The Methodist Epis-
copal Religious Society in Town of Worcester was formed.

In June, 1834, Rev. George Pickering was appointed preacher and
had charge of classes in adjacent towns. In the first year the member-
ship grew to 107. In 1835 Rev. John T. Burrill was appointed. An
historical incident occurred Aug. 10, 1835, during the delivery of an
anti-slavery sermon by Presiding Elder Rev. Orange Scott, who was
assaulted by Levi Lincoln Jr. and another, who tore his sermon into
pieces. The selectmen then notified the church that no more anti-sla-
very sermons would be permitted in the town hall, which was the place of
worship at that time.

In 1836 the building of a meeting house was begun at the southeast
corner of Exchange and Union streets, completed March, 1837, and ded-
icated. The Spy advertised the dedication but gave no account of it
afterward. Rev. James Porter was pastor in 1837, and 175 were added
to the membership that year. Rev. Johan Horton was pastor next
year (1838).

Following have been pastors since then : Moses L. Scudder, 1839-
40; Miner Raymond, 1841-3; Charles K. True, D. D., 1843; Amos Bin-
ney, 1844-5; Jona. D. Bridge, 1846-7; Loranus Crowell, 1848; Nelson

840 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

E. Cobleigh, 1849-50; Zacheus A. Mudge, 1851-2; Daniel E. Chapin,
1853-4; Fales H. Newhall, 1855-56; Chester Field, 1857-58; John H.
Twombly, 1859-60; John Wm. Dadmun, 1861-3; Daniel E. Chapin, 1863-
4; John H. Mansfield, 1865-6-7; Chas. N. Smith, 1868-9-70; Willard
Francis Mallalieu, afterward bishop, 1871; Ira G. Bidwell, 1872-3; V.
A. Cooper, 1874-5-6, (who reduced the debt by $35,000) ; Amos A. B.
Kendig, 1877-78; J. A. Cass, 1879-80-81; Chas. S. Rogers, D. D., 1882-
83-84; Willard T. Perrin, 1885-7; Wm. H. Thomas, 1888-89-90; John

D. Pickles, 1891-4; Raymond F. Holway, 1895-7; George W. King,
1898-1902; Samuel M. Dick, 1903-06; Harvey W. Ewing, 1907-14; Leo-
pold A. Nies, since 1914.

While the new church was building services were held in the town
hall.

The original church was burned in 1844 during the pastorate of Mr.
True. The new church on Park street on the present site of the Ban-
croft Hotel was dedicated August 16, 1845. The next building, corner
of Main and Chandler streets, was dedicated April 25, 1871; cost $100,-
000. This is the present edifice.

Grace Church. — This was organized in 1867 as Main Street Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, and Rev. J. Oramel Peck was its first pastor,
1867-69. Meetings were held in Washburn Hall and the Lincoln House.
The Sunday school became one of the largest in the city. In the first
two years the society raised about $20,000. The meeting house on Wal-
nut street was completed in 1872, and the name changed to Grace M.

E. Church. The vestry was occupied in July, 1871 ; the church was ded-
icated in January, 1872. The second pastor was Rev. Andrew McKeon,
1870-71, and the third Rev. J. O. Knowles, 1872. He w^as also twice
pastor of the Webster Square Church. Pastors since then : C. D. Hills,
1873-5; Geo. S. Chadbourne, afterward presiding elder, 1876-8; J. W.
Johnston, 1879-81; D. H. Ela, D. D., 1882-4; Geo. Whitaker, prominent
in no-license work here, afterward president of Wiley University, 1885-
87; John Galbraith, 1888-90; Wm. T. Worth, 1891-93; Wm. J. Thomp-
son, 1894-8; James B. Brady, 1899-1903; Edmund B. Patterson, 1904-
06; Frederic A. Gould, 1907-8; John S. Charlton, 1909-11; Berton L. Jen-
nings, since 1912.

Trowbridge Memorial Church. — The Third Methodist Church was
formed by a colony from Trinity in 1860, and its first pastor was Rev.
Daniel Dorchester, a prime mover in its organization. He had previously
been a State senator in Connecticut and was afterward in the General
Court of this State ; became very prominent as historian and statistician,
temperance advocate ; was presiding elder, etc.

At first the new church worshipped in Union Hall. The pastors
have been since the first: Rev. Wm. Gordon, 1863; Wm. A. Braman,
1864; Wm. Pentecost, 1866; Edward Virgin, 1867; Benj. F. Chase,
1869; Chas. H. Hanaford, 1870-1; Pliny Wood, 1872; Mr. Parsons, 1873;

AND ITS PEOPLE 841

E. A. Titus, 1875; V. M. Simmons, 1878; Daniel Richardson, 1879; J.
W. Finn, 1880; N. Fellows, 1882; J. O. Knowles, 1883; L. W. Staples,
1886 ; some serving for several yearly terms, the date being given only
of their first year. Since then: Rev. Henry Duer, 1888-91; W. N.
Richardson, 1891-6; Geo. W. Mansfield, 1896-9; Benj. F. Kingsley,
1899-03; J. O. Knowles, 1903-05 (second pastorate); W. H. Dockham,
1905-13; Frank T. Pomeroy, 1913-14; Carl G. Bader, since 1914. In
1917, Rev. Tobias Foss (April to Dec.) resigned on account of ill health.
Rev. Arthur G. Wright succeeded him.

The meeting house was erected at Webster Square in 1871, the
largest contributors to the building fund being Albert Curtis and the
Goes family. It was dedicated April 37, 1871. It cost about $30,000.
The name was changed in 1901: from Webster Square Church to the
present name, Trowbridge Memorial Church.

Park Avenue Church. — This church was established in 1891, its
meeting house on Park avenue near May street. Rev. Alonzo Sander-
son was pastor from 1893-1901; Lauress J. Birney, 1901; Alfred C.
Skinner, 1903-05; James W. Higgins, 1905-06 ; Isaac H. Parkhurst, 1907-
10; Howard F. Legg, 1910-11; Herbert G. Buckingham, 1911-14; George
E. Folk, 1915-17; Charles E. Spaulding, 1917; Mr. Folk is in France
(1918) in Y. M. C. A. work. He was pastor of Upham Church, Dor-
chester, in 1917.

Bethel Church. — This was founded in 1867. Its place of worship is
at 369 Park avenue. Rev. William B. Perry has been pastor since 1903.

For First and Second Swedish Churches, see chapter on Swedish
people.

Church of the Covenant. — The following narrative is by Mr. Jerome
M. Stone:

A Sunday school was organized Oct. 19, 1884, in the house of John Streeter, corner
of Grafton street and Grafton Place, by the young people of Union Church, with W.
W. Green as superintendent. The young people did not feel confident to take a class
of eight grown-up people, so the class was asked to select a teacher and J. M. Stone
was chosen. There was an attendance of about 60. Then they began to talk of a
church. The people in this section said that if that was done it would be necessary to
have prayer meetings, but the Union Church people objected.

Rev. Albert Bryant, superintendent of Worcester Missionary Society, was con-
sulted, and it was decided to have cottage prayer meetings and J. M. Stone was asked
to take charge. Once a month pastors from other churches preached, and meetings
were held weekly on Thursday evenings, with an attendance of from thirty to sixty.
Many homes were opened for the meetings.

June 15, 1885, it was decided that a chapel on Houghton street was needed to
relieve Mrs. Streeter and also to give us more room. A building committee was
chosen to solicit funds and find a suitable lot : P. W. Moen, W. W. Green, L. Stowe
and J. M. Stone. J. M. Stone was elected treasurer, and put in charge of the build-
ing. The contract was awarded to Frank Holland for $1150. The chapel had but one
room, which is the present auditorium. This was dedicated Oct. 15, 1885. Rev. Albert
Bryant, pastor, preached mornings at Houghton street.

842 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

A council was called to organize the church with three branches : viz : Houghton
street, South Worcester, and Lake View, Dec. lo, 1885. The council desiring more
time, council adjourned to Dec. 22, to meet in the vestry at Plymouth Church. The
council organized with Rev. Geo. W. Phillips, D. D., moderator, and Rev. H. A.
Stimson, D. D., scribe. Exercises of recognition; reception of members, Rev. H. A.
Stimson, D. D. ; right hand of fellowship, Rev. W. T. Sleeper; charge to church, Rev.
C. M. Southgate; prayer of consecration. Rev. Albert Bryant.

Officers of Houghton Street Church: Pastor, Rev. Albert Bryant. Members of
Advisory Board: from City Missionary Society: P. W. Moen, Solon Bryant. Su-
perintendent of Sunday school, W. W. Greene. Deacons, Jerome M. Stone, Benjamin
F. Scribner. Treasurer, Romeo D. Learned. Secretary, Henry L. Scribner.

There were 23 charter members at Houghton street, Oct. 14, 1889, Rev. M. H.
Hitchcock then acting pastor. It was decided that each section of the Church of the
Covenant be made a separate church, and that, if the other sections approved, they
adopt a name. Lake View adopted that name and South Worcester chose the name
of Hope Church, Houghton street to retain the present name. A committee from
each section was chosen to call a council. Nov. 6, the City Missionary Society approved
(records missing) ; but the council was called and approved, and the new Church
of the Covenant was received into fellowship in the Worcester Central Conference,
and later incorporated according to the laws of Massachusetts.

In the fall of 1892 it was decided to raise the church up and put a vestry under
it and to put on the front vestibule. It was dedicated March 17, 1893. The order of
services was as follows : Scripture Reading, Rev. W. T. Sleeper ; Statement by Pas-
tor, Rev. J. E. Hurlbut; Addresses by Rev. Daniel Merriman, D. D. ; Rev. David
O. Mears, D. D. ; Rev. Archibald McCuUough, D. D. ; Presentation of keys, L. P.
Forbush; Acceptance, William Allison.

Pastors: Revs. Albert Bryant, Milan H. Hitchcock, John E. Hurlbut (10 years),
Lyman Mevis, Eugene B. Hughes, Baptist, J. H. Alathews, Geo. D. Bivin, Rufus M.
Taft (taken ill after six months' service, and died in September, 1912).

In December, 1912, on advice of the Worcester City Missionary Society and the
superintendent of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Societies, it was unanimously
voted to extend an invitation to Coral Street Methodist Episcopal Church to bring
their pastor and to worship with us. The invitation was accepted; after due delibera-
tion, it was decided to call a council of Congregational Churches to advise with the
Church of the Covenant. A plan was formed to unite with Coral Street. On March
9, 1913, at the communion service, 91 members of the Church of the Covenant joined
Coral Street Methodist Episcopal Church by letter and 9 on confession, making 100
at the service. Addresses were given by Rev. W. G. Colgrove, Rev. Geo. D. Bivin,
and J. M. Stone. The fellowship and brotherly love with which all have worked
together since has been wonderful.

The finances of the Church of the Covenant were a matter of difficulty at first.
The City Mission Society gave $400 a year; and for the past few years, $300, the
Massachusetts Home Mission Society giving the same amount. The Church of the
Covenant has taken in 209 members ; many have moved away, and 18 have died.

Coral Street Church. — The following is condensed from an histor-
ical narrative by Mrs. C. E. L. Merrill :

Coral Street Church stood upon historic ground. History tells us that the Indian
name of Sagatabscot was given to designate the beautiful hill southeast of the little
village of Worcester. But before the onward march of civilization the Indian must
recede, his name be forgotten, so Sagatabscot gave place to Union, which is now, as it
has been since, the name of the hill where the church was located. In 1869 the first
prayer meeting was held in the home of Jerusha Adams, on Branch street.

AND ITS PEOPLE 843

The Ladies' Aid Society started its work early in 1871 before the land was pur-
chased, and was called the Union Hill Circle, with Mrs. Hannah Lincoln, a Congre-
gational lady, as first president. Rev. Andrew McKeon, the most prominent Metho-
dist pastor in the city, was the father of the church; and with a voluntary com-
mittee from the different M. E. churches on Sept. 15, 1871, a lot was purchased on the
corner of Waverly and Coral streets at a cost of 40 cents a foot. Open-air services
were held in September, and when the weather became too cold the meetings were
held in what was then known as Schofield's Block, at the corner of Coral and Grafton
streets.

Through the earnest efforts of Bro. McKeon, $1800 was accumulated for a build-
ing fund, and the following committee was formed to carry on a mission : Rev. A.
McKeon, Fred A. Clapp, P. F. White, Grace Church; Rev. C. N. Smith, Alpheus
Walker, Geo. F. Buttrick, Trinity' Church ; Rev. Wm. Pentecost, L. W. Pond, Geo.
W. Paul, Laurel Street Church; and Rev. John Toulmin, of Webster Square Church.
Jan. 14, 1872, a Sunday school was organized, with John L. Parker as superintendent.
March 27, 1872, Rev. E. S. Chase was appointed pastor, and regular preaching ser-
vices were held in the same block. May 8, 1872, the church was organized with 17
members : Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Van Ornum, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Bowers, Han-
nah M. Keyser, Jerusha Adams, Waldo Adams, Alpheus Walker, Jos. Dyer, Fred
E. Grover, Caroline Grover, Geo. H. Mills, Alary J. Mills, Elisha Perry, Mary J.
Perry, Kate M. Thurston, Geo. H. Whittemore.

Adeline Gordon broke the ground, throwing the first shovel of earth. Soon after
the building was begun, N. H. Clark became one of the trustees and proved a liberal
helper and friend for many years. April 16, 1873, the church was dedicated as the
Union Hill M. E. Church. Bishop A. Wiley was present, and Rev. B. L Ives of
New York gave the dedicatory address. Bro. Chase was a hard-working, earnest
Christian, and under his administration, 50 were baptized, 98 received into membership,
and 175 in the Sunday school. In the spring of 1875, Rev. H. D. Weston became pas-
tor.

In the fall of 1875 the society bought a new camp-meeting tent at Sterling Junc-
tion. Jan. 29th it was resolved to build a vestry under the audience room, and Dec.
12, 1875, the vestry was dedicated; $1500 was raised that day, and the vestry paid for.
In 1877-78 it was voted to build a parsonage on the lot adjoining the church, and this
was dedicated and occupied by the pastor Feb. 21, 1878.

In 1876 the name of the church was changed to Coral Street M. E. Church. The
church property was much improved but its members faced an enormous debt. Rev.
Jesse Wagner was sent to the church in 1878, and the debt at that time was $19,550.00,
which was not reduced during Bro. Wagner's ministry as no satisfactory settlement
could be arranged, but many were added to the church. During December a fair net-
ted $1000. A Little Old Folks' Concert was held in Coral street, later in Horticul-
tural Hall, and finally in Mechanics Hall,— the first of its kind ever held in Wor-
cester. It was under the leadership of Mrs. J. Wagner and Mrs. H. W. Hastings;
seventy children were in costume of "ye olden tyme," with George W. Hastings, aged
12, as Father Time.

In the spring of 1880 the alteration in the location of organ and choir was made,
and the church carpeted. In April, 1881, came Rev. A. F. Herrick. Early in his
pastorate there was a marked religious interest, with the help of Mrs. Maggie Van
Cott; 41 were baptized, 50 received into full membership. A dark cloud arose in the
form of financial difficulty, but Mr. H. C. Graton saved the church from financial
bankruptcy, and in 1882 all claims were settled.

During April, 1883, Rev. Charles Young was appointed pastor ; 26 were taken
into the church and 16 baptized; the first wedding was held in the church December
10, 1885, C. E. Linnie Johnson and Ernest R. Merrill being the contracting parties.
Rev. William P. Ray came in 1886; owing to much sickness in his family, he did his

844 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

work under trying circumstances ; 31 were baptized, 59 received into full member-
ship. In 1889, Rev. J. O. Knowles became pastor. In November of 1890 a chapter
of the Epworth League was organized, with Geo. W. Hastings as president; 51 mem-
bers were registered. The church was painted, beside other minor repairs; 39 were
received into membership, 13 baptized. On May 8, 1890, was observed the twentieth
anniversary. The grounds were graded, and the fence built to enclose the church
property.

Rev. J. H. Emerson followed Bro. Knowles in July, 1893. November 6, 1893, Mrs.
Grace Weiser Davis conducted revival services for twelve days; 32 persons were
received into the church as the fruit of these meetings. In April, 1895, the conference
sent Rev. H. P. Rankin. A revival conducted by Bro. Webber was held, and 24 were
received into full membership and many on probation. In 1896, Rev. Geo. E. Sander-
son was appointed pastor. His executive ability is undisputed and the financial stand-
ing of the church was greatly improved. In a report Bro. Sanderson states that "up
to this time there have been 235 persons baptized, 356 received on probation, 505 taken
into full membership. Raised for benevolent purposes, $6500, current expenses,
$14,700, and for salaries, $41,231. At the present time the membership is 120."

Sunday, December 5, 1898, was celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary, with a
powerful sermon by Rev. M. B. Chapman of Boston University; Dec. 8th, an anniver-
sary banquet was held, with former pastors and members present. October 30th, revival
services were held by Bro. William Park and wife. During 1899 the vestry was reno-
vated. In 1901 the auditorium was frescoed and painted, at an expense of $300.

Rev. J. W. Fulton was sent in April, 1901. He came with a full determination
to pay off the church debt, and with the aid" of the City Missionary Society, and the
estate of one of our most faithful members, Jared Allen, he was successful. Mr.
Allen was a generous giver to the church he loved in life, and at his death gave his
home on Mendon street to help pay the debt. Bro. Graton once more proved a friend
in need, and in January, 1906, at a gathering of presiding elders, former pastors and
members, a jubilee was held to celebrate the cancelling of the mortgage.

In April, 1906, Rev. Geo. H. Cheney became pastor. He remained two years, and
was followed by Rev. Arthur Wright in 1908. This was the first young man we had
had, and he came full of life and enthusiasm. The Baracca Class was used by Bro.
Wright in spiritual work, and a kindergarten organized under the Philatheas to care
for the children during morning service proved a great success. In 1909, Mr. Geo. C.
Bryant of Trinity Church gave an altar for the vestry.

January 25th, 191 1, Mrs. Mary A. Whitney entered into rest. She left to Coral
Street Church the sum of $500 to be known as the A. T. Whitney Fund, the income
to be used in general work. The membership increased from 115 to 144 during Bro.
Wright's three years' pastorate. The last wedding held in the church was that of
George W. Green and Luna Belle Stanley.

The last pastor sent to the Coral Ctreet Church was Rev. Gladstone Colgrove,
who came in April, 1912. After being here a few months he was convinced that it
was advisable to sell the Coral street property and buy the Houghton street, uniting
the two churches. On Jan. 13, 1913, the trustees were authorized to purchase the
Houghton street property, and to sell the Coral street property. The last service held
in the church was the funeral of Hannah M. Johnson, who had been a member since
September, 1873. After taking up the work of the Covenant M. E. Church, the lot on
Hamilton street was bought, the price being $9000. A parsonage was built costing
$4700 completed, exclusive of land. The uniting of the two churches proved to be a
success and union and harmony prevailed.

Rev. E. C. Bridgham succeeded Bro. Colgrove in April, 191 5. In the spring of
1917 ground was broken for the new church on Hamilton street, the cost to be $25,000;
$17,000 was given by the City Missionary Society, the balance of $8000 to be cared for
by the church. Edwin T. Chapin was the architect, and L. O. Irish of Auburn the

AND ITS PEOPLE 845

contractor and builder. The laying of the cornerstone was May 26, 1917. To date
the membership stands 213, in full membership, and 13 probationers.

Laurel Street Church. — A colony from the First Methodist Church
left when the Park street location was fixed. For a time the congrega-
tion had its place of worship on Thomas street. The church organiza-
tion dates from July 20, 1845. The meeting house on Laurel street was
dedicated Feb. 27, 1849. The first pastor, Richard S. Rust, remained
seven months. Then followed Revs. J. W. Mowry ; George Dunbar;
Francis A. Griswold ; Cyrus S. Eastoman, Wm. M. Mann, 1850; David
H. Higgins; Jos. W. Lewis, 1853; J. W. Mowry (second pastorate);
Henry W. Warren, afterward bishop, 1855 ; Ichabod Marcy, 1857 ; Sam-
uel Kelly, 1858; Jos. C. Cromack, 1860-61; Rev. Jona. Hascall, former
pres. elder, 1861, filling out the term of Mr. Cromack who became chap-
lain of 19th Mass.; T. W. Lewis, 1862-3; James Dean, 1863; M. M.
Parkhurst, 1864 ; Samuel Kelly (second pastorate) ; Angelo Carroll,
1867; Wm. Pentecost, 1869; H. D. Weston, 1872; Wm. Pentecost
(again), 1875; Fayette Nichols, 1878; Garrett Beekman, 1880 (under
whom the congregation doubled); G. M. Smiley, 1883-6; Ira G. Ross,
1886; Alonzo Sanderson, 1887-92; Joseph F. Kennedy, 1892-5; Geo.
W. Mansfield, 1895-6; Harvey H. Paine, 1898-1903; Albert Sidney
Gregg, 1903-05 ; Wm. A. Wood, 1905-08 ; Herbert G. Buckingham, 1908-
12; Edward E. Small, 1911-15; A. Earl Kernahan, 1915-16.

In 1916 the church became the Grace Church Branch, Laurel street,
and the present pastor is Rev. Burton L. Jennings.

Various Societies. — The Methodist Episcopal City Mission and
Church Extension Society is similar to those of the other denominations.
The officers in 1915 were: Vice-Pres., John Legg, E. Avery Brewer,
Lester V. Bailey, Henry C. Graton; Sec, William A. Warden; Treas.,
H. Edwin Green.

The Methodist Ministers Meeting of Worcester and vicinity has
been in existence for a number of years and is similar to that of the other
denominations. Rev. G. Edgar Folk was president in 1917.

The Epworth League was organized May 15, 1889, in Cleveland,
Ohio, uniting five organizations then existing in the Methodist churches.
Leagues were organized here, as follows : Trinity, Oct., 1889 ; Grace,
Oct., 1889; Laurel Street; Coral Street, Nov. 17, 1890; Webster Square,
April 21, 1890; Thomas Street (Swedish) May, 1892; Bethel A. M. E.
(colored). The work of each is similar. Weekly meetings are held;
certain charities supported. The various societies, one in each of the
Methodist churches, form the Worcester Circuit, of which Jonathan
Cartmill has been president for several years.

CHAPTER LV

The Presbyterian Church — The First Church — Westminster United

Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church. — The families of Scotch descent and
Presbyterian principles who emigrated to this country from the North
of Ireland, came to Worcester and established a church in the old garrison
house near the intersection of the Boston and Lancaster roads. Rev,
Edward Fitzgerald, from Londonderry, Ireland, was their first pastor
and preached to them for some months. Soon they began to erect a
church building, but this did not meet with approval of other inhabitants,
who gathered and destroyed the building which was well under way.
Discouraged by this opposition, they made no further attempt to build
a sanctuary. Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald was compelled from want of financial
support to leave and was later succeeded by Rev. Wm. Johnston. In
1736 the congregation attempted to have their taxes for the support of
the Old South Minister (the town minister) abated, because they were
supporting another minister, but like all other such attempts to avoid
the church rates of the Puritans, it failed. The church soon afterward
seems to have disbanded and the members returned to the Congregational
fold. Thus ended the first attempt to establish a Presbyterian church
here.

For nearly one hundred and fifty years there was no Presbyterian
church in Worcester, no further efifort being made until Feb. 25, 1886,
when a group of men and women met in the Y. M. C. A. rooms on Elm
street to consider the organization of a Presbyterian church in connec-
tion with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America. Rev.' Joseph W. Sanderson, superintendent of N. E.
Mission, presided. Elder Robert Gilchrist of Boston represented the
Presbytery. No definite action was taken at this meeting, which was
adjourned and met March 25 in Mechanics Hall. At this meeting fifty
were present, and the following committee was elected : Geo. Edwards,
R. J. McKay, Dr. H. D. Kurtz, Thos. Hamilton, Geo. Weir, James Rus-
sell and Wm. Findlay, this committee to act until formal organization
was perfected.

On April 1, 1886, the first prayer meeting was held at the home of
George Edward, 114 Beacon street, and was led by Dr. H. D. Kurtz. On
April 4, 1886, the first preaching service was held at St. George's Hall.
Rev. J. H. Ralston, from McPherson, Kansas, appointed by the Presby-
tery to take charge, preached in the afternoon. A canvas of the city by
Mr. Ralston soon settled the question of a church organization. A peti-
tion signed by over one hundred names was presented to the Presbytery

848 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

of Boston requesting the organization of a church in Worcester. This
was granted, and May 27, 1886, Rev. V. A. Lewis of Boston presided
and proceeded to organize the church in due form with 57 members. At
this meeting Mr. Ralston was duly installed as pastor; the first elders,
Geo. Edwards, Geo. Weir and Wm. Findlay, were also installed.

In June, 1886, the church began to hold meetings in Continental
Hall, and continued there until Sept. 1, 1887, when services were held
in Curtis Hall, Y. M. C. A. building. Rev. Thos. Atkinson succeeded Mr.
Ralston; he was installed May 1, 1890, and resigned in January, 1894.
On Sept. 28, 1890, the meeting place changed to Horticultural Hall, and
on April 5, 1891, to Washburn Hall. The next move was Sept. 27, 1891,
to the church building on Kilby street which was bought from All Souls
Universalist Church.

The next minister was Rev. Alvah R. Scott, who came June 27, 1894,
and was installed in October. He resigned Oct. 5, 1898. During his
pastorate he studied at Clark University, and later received his degree
of Ph.D. from the University of Wooster, Ohio. Rev. Andrew J. Bruck-
lacher was pastor from May 1, 1899, until April 18, 1900. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Francis W. Beidler, who came Sept. 1, 1900, installed
April 30, 1901, resigned June 18, 1902. During this period it was found
that the church building on Kilby street was too far from the center of
the city, so it was decided to locate further down town. On Oct. 2, 1901,
Malta Temple on Main street, now occupied by the Hadley Furniture Co.,
was the next meeting place. Rev. McLeod Harvey was the next pastor,
called from Haverhill, Mass.; he was installed Dec. 17, 1902, and
resigned in August, 1913. During his pastorate the church acquired the
church building formerly occupied by the Main street Baptist brethren at
the corner of Main and Hermon streets. The acquisition of a church
home meant much, even although loaded down by a heavy burden of
debt, but through the efforts of the pastor and Rev. Chas. T. Schaeffer,
chairman of the board of trustees, the Board of Church Erection of the
Presbyterian Church made it possible to carry the burden.

Rev. Chas. Allen Fisher, the present pastor, was installed Dec. 17,
1913. John W. Armour was superintendent of the Sabbath school from
Sept. 15, 1890, to Feb. 20, 1899, and from March 19, 1903, to March 31,
1911, and from April il, 1915, to the present time.

Westminster United Presbyterian Church. — The First United Pres-
byterian Church was organized Jan. 29, 1895. The congregation was
formed from colonists from Canada, and members from local churches,
principally the United Presbyterians moving to Worcester from Whit-
insville and Clinton, and from the First Presbyterian Church. For some
time previous to organization, services were held in St. George's Hall,
492 Main street, under the leadership of Rev. S. B. Haslett, Ph.D., pastor
of the United Presbyterian church at Wilkinsonville, and shortly after its
organization. Rev. Robert Hughes, of the Canadian Presbyterian Church,

AND ITS PEOPLE 849

began as supply. Mr. Hughes was called and installed as the first pastor,
April 9, 1896, and continued until Oct. 20, 1901. The succeeding pastors
have been: Rev. Newton J. Walter, 1902-03 (during whose pastorate
the present property at 63 Wellington street was purchased and reded-
icated) ; John B. Pollock, 1904-05; Matthew S. McCord, D. D., 1905-12;
John A. Shaw, 1913; Paul L. Reynolds, 1914-17; F. Wight Tingley,
1917 — . Rev. Mr. Tingley assumed charge in 1917. The name was
changed from the First to the Westminster United Presbyterian Church
when it was incorporated in 1903. The United Presbyterian denomi-
nation is a psalm-singing body, and its missionary and educational work
is of note.

W.~I-54.

CHAPTER LVI

Protestant Episcopal Church — All Saints — St. John's — St. Matthew's

St. Mark's— St. Luke's— Episcopal Church Club

All Saints Church. — After one attempt that failed, Episcopalian ser-
vices were held here in 1835, beginning Dec. 13 and attended by sixty-
persons, Rev. Thos. H. Vaill being the preacher. A corporation, "Pro-
prietors of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Worcester," was created
April 8, 1836, Thos. H. Vaill, Ira M. Barton and Edward F. Dixie being
named in the act. Mr. Vaill went away at the end of six months, dis-
couraged at the prospects. He was afterward bishop of Kansas.

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

Services were resumed in 1842, and Dec. 35th, there was a service in
the Central Church chapel, Thomas street, in charge of Rev. Fernando
C. Putnam. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Blackaller. At that time
Thomas Bottomly and Chas. S. Ellis were wardens. Rev. Geo. T. Chap-
man, D. D., came at Easter in 1844, and worked zealously for two years.
He was succeeded by Rev. Geo. H. Clark, the first settled rector. He
resigned in January, 1849, on account of ill health. His successor, Rev.

852 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Nath. T. Bent, remained until the spring of 1852. During the next four
years Rev. Archibald M. Morrison was rector. For three years the
church was without a rector, Revs. William H. Brooks and Albert C.
Patterson having charge. Rev. E. W. Hager became rector in Decem-
ber, 1859, and resigned in August, 1862.

The ministry of Rev. William R. Huntington, beginning Dec. 3,
1862, when he was ordained here, and lasting twenty-one years, was a
period of great growth and development, Nov. 26, 1883, Dr. Hunting-
ton resigned to become rector of Grace Church, New York. After a
period during which Rev. Lawrence H. Schwab was in charge. Rev. Alex.
H. Vinton was chosen rector, April 11, 1884, and began his duties Sep-
tember 1st. He resigned Feb. 25, 1902, and became Bishop of Western
Massachustets. He was succeeded Jan. 1, 1903, by Rev. Thos. F. Da-
vies, who resigned Oct. 15, 1911, to succeed Bishop Vinton. Since Oct.
16, 1912, Rev. Lewis G. Morris has been rector. Revs. Chas. L. Short,
Frederic C. Lauderburn, and Donald K. Johnston have been assistant
ministers or curates since 1893, for various periods. Rev. Richard A.
Kirchhoffer has been curate since 1916.

The first church was on Pearl street, erected in 1846. In 1860 it
was enlarged, and during twenty-eight years three times received altera-
tions. It was destroyed by fire, April 7, 1874. A building committee
was appointed May 15, and ground was broken on a lot at the corner
of Irving and Pleasant streets Dec. 29, 1874. The cornerstone was laid
July 21, 1875, and the building consecrated Jan. 4, 1877, by Bishop
Paddock. This church has held its place among the most beautiful
and artistic structures of the city. The material is red sandstone. Ste-
phen C. Earle was the architect. The builders were Norcross Bros.
Embedded in the walls are stone relics of mediaeval period presented by
the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral of Worcester, England. The
church building contains a chapel and a parish library.

In 1916 a parish house was erected upon land adjoining the church
on Irving street. This building is of brick, designed by Cram & Fergu-
son. Early English in character, and connects with the main building.
Offering as it does every facility for the activities of a growing parish
this recent acquisition realizes the cherished hope of a generation of
worshippers at All Saints.

The Wednesday Club of All Saints Parish had its origin March 8,

1876, at an informal meeting of ten young women, and was known at
first as the L. B. Club, the name Wednesday Club being adopted in

1877. The objects are mutual improvement and to advance missionary
and charitable work. At a fair in 1876 the club made $500, and the
money was contributed for the middle window in the chancel. For
many years the club trimmed the church for various festivals. The tenth
anniversary was observed, the club history (1876-86) published, and a
crayon portrait of Dr. Huntington given the parish at that time.

AND ITS PEOPLE 853

In 1890-91 the club rented and furnished a house, 26 Irving street;
in 1891 rooms were opened at 15 Irving street, and maintained there until
1896. The twentieth anniversary was celebrated with elaborate exer-
cises, an account of which is given in a pamphlet published at that time.
A memorial window was given to mark the occasion, known as the
"Ruth" window. The club in later years has raised money for the par-
ish house fund ; $380 for the renovation of the library ; $565 for the
repairs in the church and parish building ; $700 raised by honorary mem-
bers for similar purposes; contributions to various local organizations
such as the Boys Club, Associated Charities, Day Nursery Employment
Society.

The following have been presidents: Corinne L. Nichols, 1876-7;
Agnes Clary, 1877-8; 1880-81; Isabel F. Hapgood, 1878-9; Emily Chase
(Mrs. J. Russel Marble), 1879-80; Annie M. Lincoln, 1881-2; 1885-6;
Sarah B. Hopkins, 1882-3; 1895-6; Grace Whiting (Mrs. G. F. Myers),
1883-4; L. Stella Whitcomb (Mrs. J. F. Browning), 1884-5; Camilla G.
Whitcomb, 1886-7; 1892-3; 1900-01; Elizabeth S. Howe (Mrs. S. H.
Colton), 1887-8; 1890-91; Sarah J. Hill (Mrs. W. M. Lancaster), 1889-
90; Elizabeth P. Hopkins (Mrs. A. L. Aiken), 1891-2; Lilian A.
Mathews, 1893-4; Mary Louisa Trumbull Cogswell (Mrs, E. M. Rob-
erts), 1894-5; Georgiana L. Stone (Mrs. James E. Ives), 1896-7; Edith
Almy Barton (Mrs. Edgar M. Atkin), 1897-8; Grace Bliven, 1898-9;
Ada Drenna (Mrs. Frederick G. Dews), 1899-1900; Anne W. Lovell,
1901-02; Florence L. Cobb, 1902-03; Elizabeth H. Pratt (Mrs. E. Irving
Clark), 1903-04; Helen C. Marble, 1904-5; Rosaline Brand (Mrs. Suth-
erland), 1905-6; Georgiana H. Boyd, 1906-7; Margaret Lovell, 1907-8;
Mrs. Kendall Emerson, 1908-10; Mary C. Kessell, 1910-12; Mrs. S. H.
Colton, 1912 — .

St. John's Church. — Dr. Huntington's idea of forming four missions
in the city, naming them from the first four Evangelists and developing
four churches has been realized. St. John's was the second. A Sunday
school was established March 11, 1883, in an upper room in a building on
Lincoln Square. The first services there were conducted by Rev. Henry
Hague, of St. Matthew's, Jan. 6, 1884 ; and the first regular Sunday ser-
vices were begun March 9, following, Rev.. John S. Bens, general mis-
sionary of the diocese. At the same time Rev. Edward S. Cross began
missionary work, and took formal charge April 13. Land on Lincoln
street for a church was bought April 21, and ground was broken May
13. The cornerstone was laid July 5. Stephen C. Earle was the archi-
tect. Public worship in the new church was held for the first time on
Christmas Day. For a time the free church system was tried, but was
soon abandoned. In 1887 it was necessary to enlarge the church, increas-
ing the sittings to 308. The parish was organized Sept. 18, 1884.

Mr. Cross preached his farewell sermon Oct. 19, 1884, and was suc-
ceeded as rector by Rev. Francis C. Burgess, Nov. 30 that year. Rev.

854

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

<^

ST. MATTHEW'S.

AND ITS PEOPLE

855

Eliot White succeeded Mr. Burgess in 1897, resigning in 1907. Since
then Rev. Walton S. Danker has been rector.

St. Matthew's Church.— A mission chapel fund of $721.21, raised
at a Christmas sale by the women of All Saint's Church in 1869, was
the beginning of the foundation of St. Matthew's Church. Added con-
tributions allowed the purchase of a lot at the corner of Southbridge
and Washburn streets, in South Worcester ; an association was formed
by twelve prominent members of All Saints for the management of the
mission and to act as trustees. In the summer of 1871 the chapel was
erected under the supervision of Rev. Dr. W. R. Huntington, by Orlando
W. Norcross, and it was dedicated Sept. 21, St. Matthew's Day. The
speakers were : Dr. Huntington, Revs. Mr. Howe of Milford, Jones of
Fitchburg, and John Gregson, who took charge of the chapel as assistant
to the rector of All Saints. Rev. Thos. A. Robertson succeeded Mr. Greg-
son, Oct. 1, 1872, after an interim during which Mr. Thomas Mackay,
a student, conducted services. Mr. Robertson resigned July 1, 1873, and
Mr. Mackay again had temporary charge until Jan. 1, 1874, when his
father. Rev. Henry Mackay, of Pittsburg, Penn., became rector's assistant
in charge of the mission.

The parish was organized May 5, 1874; William Lancaster was
elected clerk. The charter members were: Henry Mackay, Henry L.
Parker, William Lancaster, Matthew J. Whittall, James Ballantyne, Sum-
ner Cummings, Sampson Austin, William R. Hamilton, Thomas Parker,
.Francis Boston, Joseph Crawford, George Lancaster. The following
officers were elected : Senior Warden, Henry L. Parker. Junior War-
den, Matthew J. Whittall. Vestrymen, Sampson Austin, James L.
Ballantyne, William Lancaster, William R. Hamilton, Sumner Cum-
mings. Treasurer and Collector, M. J. Whittall. Clerk, William Lan-
caster.

Rev. Henry Mackay, the first rector, resigned July 1, 1875. Rev.
Amos Skeele succeeded him April 24, 1876, resigning in 1877. Albert
Schmidt became clerk, Oct. 29, 1877. Rev. George S. Paine had charge
of services six months. He was succeeded by Rev. Alex. Mackey Smith,
later rector of St. John's Church, Washington, D. C. Rev. George E.
Osgood, assistant at All Saints, became the rector here June 1, 1878. In
the same month James L. Ballantyne succeeded Henry L. Parker as war-
den, and in turn was succeeded April 14 by Charles Booth.

In 1880, through the generosity of the late Sumner Pratt, the debt
was removed and the property deeded to the parish. The church was
consecrated Feb. 8, 1880, by Rt. Rev. B. H. Paddock, Bishop of Massa-
chusetts, assisted by Revs. George E. Osgood, the rector, George S.
Paine and Thos. F. Fales of Waltham. At that time the church had fifty
communicants ; the Sunday school an attendance of 125 persons. Henry
Gaunt was elected clerk and treasurer April 6, 1880, to succeed Mr.

856 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Schmidt. The people of Cherry Valley joined the new church Nov. 1,
1880, and the rector ceased to be assistant minister of All Saints.

Mr. Osgood resigned Jan. 16, 1881, to become rector of Grace
Church, North Attleborough, and during the vacancy Henry L. Parker
served as lay reader. Rev. Julius H. Waterbury, called April 26, 1881,
was the next rector. He resigned in November and died on Good Fri-
day, 1882. In April, 1881, Alfred H. Booth succeeded Mr. Gaunt as
clerk and treasurer. Again Mr. Parker officiated as lay reader. Rev.
Henry Hague began his duties as rector Aug. 1, 1882. In the meantime
plans for an addition to the church had been made, land purchased at
the corner of Southbridge and Cambridge streets, and funds raised.
The building committee consisted of M. J. Whittall, James Cunningham,
J. W. Young and Alfred Thomas ; Edward Snyder was the contractor.
The hall, designed for the Sunday school and parish work, was dedi-
cated in December, 1882, the speakers being Dr. Huntington, Hon. Ed-
ward L. Davis, James Cunningham and the rector. The building cost
nearly $6,000. The parish was admitted to the diocesan convention in
1883, and the delegates were Messrs. Whittall, Cunningham and Parker.
James Cunningham succeeded Charles Booth as junior warden, July
26, 1882.

Through the generosity of Mr. Whittall, the rector was given an
assistant, Rev. George E. Allen, who came to his duties Good Friday,

1889, and remained thirteen months. He was ordained to the priest-
hood while here. He died in Fall River, Feb. 19, 1896.

It was decided to buy land for a new church in April, 1890, and a
building committee was appointed: Mr. Whittall, Mr. Cuningham and
Mr. Thomas. The site of the present church was acquired ; the ground
was broken July 5, 1890, for the rectory, which was completed Nov. 22,

1890, at a cost of nearly $5,000. The old church was burned on the
night of Jan. 6, 1893 ; the hall was removed to make way for the new
church ; the old building was sold and services held in the parish hall
temporarily. Work began on the new church in December, 1893 ; the
cornerstone was laid May 26, 1894, by Bishop Lawrence. The dedica-
tion had been set for May 23, 1896, but on May 8th Mr. and Mrs. Mat-
thew J. Wliittall assumed the balance of indebtedness, $30,000, in order
that the building might be consecrated. The consecration services were
held May 22d by Bishop Lawrence, assisted by a large number of
clergymen. Mr. Hague was rector until 1914.

The present rector Rev. George S. Southworth, has served since
1914. The first superintendent of the Sunday school was Henry C.
Wadsworth. His successors have been Henry L. Parker, J. Brown Al-
den, E. J. Ryan, James Cunningham, and various rectors of the church.
The school has grown from a membership of a hundred to about 400.
A history of the church and its various organizations was prepared by
James Cunningham and published in 1896.

AND ITS PEOPLE 857

The Ladies' Parish Aid Society has been an active and useful adjunct
of the church ahnost from the beginning. St. Andrew's Brotherhood
for more than twenty-five years has held regular meetings and per-
formed useful service in the parish. In another field the Young People's
Social Society has been also helpful. The Altar Society organized in
1893, has performed its duties faithfully since then. St. Margaret's
Guild was organized in April, 1895.

St. Mark's Church. — St. Mark's probably began in the mind of the
Rev. Dr. William R. Huntington, who for many years had been rector of
All Saints. For Dr. Huntington, with characteristic mental precision and
spiritual prevision, saw All Saints Church, Worcester, surrounded by four
Episcopal churches in the four corners of the city each named for one of the
four Evangelists. And nearly three years before the first steps were taken
to organize St. Mark's, Dr. Huntington sent a money offering which had
been put in his care, to Mrs. Abbie A. Bigelow, asking her to keep it
"against the right moment for the spade to be struck into the ground
for the Mission of St. Mark." This money Mrs. Bigelow did not keep
"in a napkin." It soon went far to purchase the land on which St.
Mark's now stands.

On September 5, 1887, in the office of Attorney Henry L. Parker, an
informal meeting was held to consider starting a new Episcopal church,
and nine days later, at the residence of Orlando W. Norcross, the fol-
lowing committee was appointed : Henry L. Parker, James Cunning-
ham, Mrs. O. W. Norcross, Mrs. Abbie A. Bigelow, Chas. A. Allen,
Jos. Jackson, Chas. H. Devoe, and Reuben Colton. To this committee
Mrs. Arnold Kabley, S. Hamilton Coe and J. A. Norcross were soon
added.

The first service was held October 16, 1887, in the South Baptist
Church ; and, thanks to the courtesy of that society, the services of St.
Mark's Mission were held in the South Baptist Church for nearly a year.
They were led by the Rev. Thomas Nickerson until Feb. 3, 1888, when
Rev. Langdon C. Stewardson, the first rector of St. Mark's, was elected.
The Mission was organized as a parish, September 13, 1888. The first
parochial officers were: Senior warden, Henry L. Parker; junior war-
den, Lemuel A. Bishop; vestrymen: Orlando W. Norcross, S. Hamil-
ton Coe, Louis N. Wilson, A. M, Powell, Thos. B. Cowan, James W.
Allen, Edgar E. Fay, Herbert Moulton ; treasurer, Joseph Jackson ;
clerk, Charles A. Allen.

Meanwhile the present church building, designed by Stephen C.
Earle and constructed by O. W. Norcross, was approaching completion.
The first service in that building was held February 7, 1889. The next
day it was resolved at a parish meeting that all seats should be free. Mr,
Stewardson, the first rector, was ever a vigorous advocate of freedom :
"A free pulpit, encouraged by the congregation to speak its mind with-
out fear or favour ; free pews, in which there shall be no distinction
between rich and poor; and free-will offerings." He preached a virile

858 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

Christianity, and had a loyal following. Later he became president of
Hobart College, Geneva, New York.

From Jan. 26 to Aug. 1, 1898, Rev. Willis H. Hazard was rector,
but Mr. Hazard soon found himself obliged to give up work on account
of an unsuspected impediment in his speech. The Rev. Henry B. Wash-
burn, of a family conspicuous in the annals of Worcester, was elected
rector on October 11, 1898. Under his able leadership the parish soon
became free from all indebtedness, and looked to larger fields by start-
ing a parochial mission in Stoneville. After nearly ten years of devoted
service Mr. Washburn resigned to accept the office which he now holds.
Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Episcopal Theological School
at Cambridge.

The present rector, the Rev. Kinsley Blodgett, was elected Nov.
25, 1908. The parochial officers at present are: Senior warden. Prof.
Zelotes W. Coombs; junior warden, Hon. John A. Thayer; vestrymen:
S. Hamilton Coe, Wm. F. Cole, Edward L. Dunn, Harry Hodgkinson,
Lafayette B. Holt, Wm. H. Larrabee, Reginald D. Lidstone, Chas. E.
Lyon, O. W. Norcross, James H. Shattuck, Marvin M. Taylor, Geo.
W. Warren; treasurer, Joseph Jackson (who has held that office ever
since the mission was organized) ; clerk, Merrill D. Brigham.

St. Luke's Church. — The fourth of the Episcopalian churches that
Rev. Dr. Huntington planned for the four quarters of the city was estab-
lished in 1908. The church was built soon afterward, and remained in
charge of the rector of All Saints Church until 1913. Since that time.
Rev. Frederick H. Danker, whose brother is rector of St. John's, has
been the rector. The church is growing rapidly. St. Luke's Church on
Pleasant street, near Flagg street, is a gem of architecture.

Episcopal Church Club. — The origin of the club dates from a dinner,
January 17, 1888, given by vestrymen of various parishes in St. Mat-
thew's Hall, South Worcester. The formal organization came a year
later, when, by invitation of the rector, wardens and vestrymen of St.
John's Church, forty-six members of the various parishes of the city met
in St. John's Parish Hall, January 15, 1889. After supper. Rev. Francis
G. Burgess presided at the business meeting, at which by-laws were
adopted and officers elected. The membership soon increased to more
than a hundred. Dinners have been held since then in the spring, fall
and winter. From 1889 to 1899 these gatherings were in the Bay State
House. Distinguished speakers were guests of the club. The later
dinners have been in the Bancroft Hotel.

Some of the principal speakers have been : Rev. P. M. Washburn,
of Northampton, May 21, 1889; A. J. C. Sowden, Oct. 15, 1889; Bishop
Dudley, Jan. 20, 1890; Rev. L. Shapardson, May 20, 1890; Gen. Schaflf
and Rev. Wilberforce Newton, Oct. 21, 1890 ; Rt. Rev. Thos. M. Clark,
Bishop of Rhode Island, Jan. 17, 1891 ; Rev. W. R. Huntington, May 19,
1891 ; Prof. L. L. Conant and Rev. Percy S. Grant, Oct. 20, 1891 ; Rev.
Sidney Partridge of China, Jan. 19, 1892; Rt. Rev. Phillips Brooks and

AND ITS PEOPLE 859

Hon. Robt. Treat Paine, May 24, 1893; Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Hon.
S. C. Darling, and Rev. Mr. Vrooman, Oct. 11, 1892; Hon. E. L. Davis
and Rev. Dr. Lemon, Jan. 10, 1893; Rev. F. B. Allen and Hon. John D.
Washburn, May 9, 1893; Dr. Chas. L. Nichols and Rev. John C. Brooks,
Oct. 4, 1893 ; Rt. Rev. Wm. Lawrence, Hon. Edward L. Davis and
Winthrop C. Durfee, Jan. 9, 1894; Rathbone Gardner, of Providence,
and Dean Hodges, of Cambridge, May 8, 1894 ; Dr. G. Stanley Hall,
Hon. Geo. F. Hoar, Oct. 9, 1894; Rev. L. C. Stewardson, Dr. T. C.
Mendenhall and Hon. Chas. L. Denney, of Leicester, Jan. 7, 1895; Rev.
J. Harris Knowles, Stephen C. Earle and Clarence F. Carroll, superin-
tendent of schools, June 11, 1895; T. Clemson, Oct. 29, 1895; Rev. Wm.
Sheafe, of Woonsocket, R. L, and Jno. H. Stiness, of Providence, Jan,

14, 1896 ; Rev. Chas. M. Addison, archdeacon of Worcester, and Rev.
Edmund Sweet Rousmaniere, archdeacon of New Bedford, June 9, 1896 ;
Hon. Robt. Treat Paine and Rev. Fred. B. Allen, of Boston, Nov. 10,
1896 ; Rev. Jno. P. Peters, of New York, Feb. 9, 1897 ; Rev. Eliot White,
Rev. Mr. Haughton, of Clinton, and Rev. Dr. Vinton, and Hon. Henry
L. Parker, Oct. 12, 1897; Rt. Rev. Percy T. Rowe, Bishop of Alaska,
and Hon. E. L. Davis, Nov. 8, 1898; Rt. Rev. Wm. H. McVicar, Bishop
coadjutor of Rhode Island, Very Rev. Wilford L. Robbins, Dean of All
Saints, Albany, Feb. 6, 1899; Rt. Rev. T. F. Davis, Reginald Wash-
burn and Dr. Langdon C. Stewardson, Dec. 14, 1914; S. Hamilton Coe,
March 24, 1915; Hon. W. T. Forbes, Nov. 17, 1915; Rt. Rev. T. F.
Davies, Rev. E. S. Rousmaniere, Harry G. Stoddard and Robert K. Shaw,
Feb. 9, 1916; Rev. Walton S. Danker, chaplain of 2d Mass. Regt., Oct.

15, 1916 ; Dr. Martin Prince, Bishop Davies and Rt. Rev. James DeW.
Perry, Jr., Bishop of Rhode Island, Feb. 8, 1917; J. W. Mawbey, J.
Burford Parry of Springfield; Lt. Col. E. K. Massee, April 17, 1918.

From 1899 to 1914 the club was dormant. Largely through the
efforts of Alfred T. Howarth, the organization again became active. Its
present membership is about one hundred. The presidents of the club :
Matthew J. Whittall, 1889; Chas. M. Bent, 1890; Stephen C. Earle,
1891; Henry L. Parker, 1892; Dr. Chas. L. Nichols, 1893; Jas. Cunning-
ham, 1894; Jos. Jackson, 1895; Edward L. Davis, 1896; Chas. G. Wash-
burn, 1897-1914; D. W. Carter, 1914; Edward T. Esty, 1916; Z. W.
Coombs, 1914-15; Rev. Mr. Roots, 1914-15; R. D. Lidstone, 1916 — ;
M. Bent, 1889; Stephen C. Earle, 1890; Henry L. Parker, 1891; Chas.
L. Nichols, 1892; Jas. Cunningham, 1893; Jos. Jackson, 1894; Alfred
Thomas 1895-97 and 1914-15; Jos. Alden Shaw, 1898-1914; Z. W.
Coombs, 1914-15; Rev. Mr. Roots, 1914-15; Al. R. D. Lidstone, 1916 — ;
Edmund C. Mayo, 1916 — ; A. A. Burbank, 1918 — . Clerks: Stephen
C. Earle, 1889; Alfred Thomas, 1890-93 and 1898-1914; Edmund L.
Parker, 1894; Francis W. Blacker, 1895; Jos. Jackson, 1896; Jno. A.
Thayer, 1897; Frank E. Dodge, 1914 — . Treasurers: Jos. Jackson,
1889-94; Chas. A. Allen, 1895-97; Jos. Jackson, 1898-1914; Alfred
T. Howarth, 1914 — .

86o

HISTORY OF J V ORG ESTER

ST. ANNE'S.

ST. JOHN'S.

ST. PETER'S.

IM.MACULA 1 E CUXCEPTIOX.

CHAPTER LVII

The Catholic Church — Its Establishment in Worcester — St. John's
Church — St. Anne's — Sacred Heart — St. Paul's — Immaculate Con-
ception— St. Peter's — St. Stephen's — Ascension — Blessed Sac-
rament— St. Bernard's — Our Lady of the Angels — Home for
the Aged — The Gray Nuns — Ladies' Benevolent
Association

The Roman Catholic Church. — The first body of Catholics came to
Worcester in 1826. They were Irish laborers, young men brought here
by contractors engaged in constructing the Blackstone canal. This
work kept them employed two years, and some of them became per-
manent residents. It is not known that any earlier settlers of this faith
became permanent settlers. The construction of the railroad from Bos-
ton to Worcester brought more Catholic Irish laborers here, and some
of them also remained after the work was done.

A search of the town records shows that few births were recorded
before 1840. All that have been found were George, son of Patrick and
Catherine McKenna, b. Dec. 2, 1828, (also James, b. 1837, Julia Ann,

b. 1838) ; George Goulding, son of and Catherine Tighe, b. Dec. 3,

1828 ; Robey Ellen, daughter of John and Mehitable McGrath, b. June
18, 1829, (these parents also had Edward and Mary Jane before 1840) ;
Carlos, son of Patrick and Bridget Murray, b. July 12, 1835; William,
son of Wm. and Margaret Underwood, b. Feb. 23, 1835, (also John
Underwood, b. April 11, 1837, and Sarah Ann, b. June 23, 1839) ; James,
son of Francis and Ann Flanigan, b. June 15, 1836, (Carlos, b. March
11, 1839, son of Francis and Ann Flanigan) ; Edward, son of Patrick and
Margaret Conway, born June 13, 1837, and Nicholas, by same parents,
born March 6, 1840 ; Andrew Laverty, born Oct. 14, 1836, and Catherine,
born Feb. 14, 1838, children of Robert and Mary Laverty.

After 1840 the vital records contain numerous records of births in
Irish families, and the baptizmal records of St. John's furnish many
more. It may be assumed from the careless way records were kept
that at least a dozen perhaps a score of Irish Catholic children were born
here before 1840. But the larger part of the population of this faith
before that date were young men without families.

Bishop Fenwick in 1834 appointed Rev. James Fitton, then pastor at
Hartford, Conn., to visit this town once a month. When he came he
found eighty persons of his faith in this section. April 4, 1834, Chris-
topher Columbus Baldwin, librarian of the American Antiquarian So-
ciety, wrote in his diary (p. 288) :

862 HISTORY OP WORCESTER

I had a visit today from the Rev. James Fitton, a CathoHc Priest from Hartford,
Conn. He told me he was the first native of Boston who had ever preached the
Catholic faith in New England. He was born in Boston, April lo, 1805, and is going
to spend his birthday with his mother at Boston on Thursday next, when, he says, he
shall be twenty-nine years old. He was the editor of the Catholic Press, a newspaper
published at Hartford, which, he says, run him in debt a thousand dollars. Before
he went to Hartford he was among the Passymaquoddy Indians. His father's name
was Abraham Fitton, who came from the county of Lancaster, England, to Boston,
about 1790. His mother's name was Welch (should read Williams), a native of Wales,
and is still living. His father is dead.

April 7, 1834. Mr. Fitton yesterday assembled the Catholics now in this town, and
with those who came from the factories at Clappville and Millbury, he had about sixty,
besides women and children. He was subjected to some difficulty in finding a con-
venient place to hold a meeting, but at length obtained consent to hold it in the new
store erected by Mr. Bailey, which is constructed of stone and stands on the north side
of Front street on the west bank of the Blackstone Canal.

I believe this to be the first Catholic sermon ever preached in this town. After
service was over, a subscription was taken, with the view of raising money to erect a
chapel or church, and, what is very surprising, five hundred dollars were soon sub-
scribed. And in addition to this, another hundred dollars were procured to defray
Mr. Fitton's expenses from Hartford here and to enable him to visit the Catholics in
different places in Alassachusetts and Connecticut.

The Boston vital records show that Abraham Fitton and Sarah Wil-
liams were married by Rev. Francis A. Matignon, Aug. 1, 1801. The
census of 1790 has no record of Abraham Fitton.

It must have been on his fourth visit that Father Fitton bought a
lot on Temple street for a church, July 7, 1834. His first attempt to buy
was frustrated by the prejudice of the owner against Catholics. He
bargained for land at the corner of Salein and Park streets, and the deed
was made out before the owner discovered the purpose for which the
land was to be used, whereupon he destroyed the deed. Father Fitton
was aided in securing the lot on which St. John's Church was stibse-
quently erected by William Lincoln, Francis P. Blake and Harvey
Pierce. The two last named afterward became Catholics. At the time
the deed was received by these three men, the lot was part of an old
pasture. An old wagon track ran from Green street toward the Canal,
and along this track Temple street was laid out.

Williain Lincoln assisted Father Fitton more than once in purchas-
ing land. He deeded to James Fitton, clergyman, Dec. 14, 1835, a lot
130 by 180 on the east side of Green street and the north side of a new
street leading from Green street to the Blackstone canal (described in a
deed dated May 1, 1834, from Joel Putnam to William Lincoln, Wor.
Deeds, 298-517). Joel Putnam bought this land of George Denny,
Timothy W. Bancroft and Lewis Bigelow, June 20, 1832 (Wor. Deeds
299-108; 312-130). William Lincoln sold to James Fitton, clergyman,
for one dollar Nov. 4, 1835, land deeded to Lincoln, Oct 20, 1833, by Har-
rison D. Goodnow, in the east part of Boylston. This land had a mort-
gage to secure payment by Thomas Dunlavy. (Wor. Deeds 311, 62-64).

AND ITS PEOPLE 863

Father Fitton laid the foundation of Holy Cross (q. v.). Even
among Protestants he was beloved. James Schofield of North Grafton,
a former mill superintendent, now an aged man, tells of Father Fitton's
kindly ministrations in his family, which was Episcopalian. Father
Fitton went to Newport, R. I., and built there the first splendid Catholic
church. Interesting in this connection is the fact that Lieuts. Rose-
crans and Sherman, afterward great generals in the Civil War, acted
as engineers for him and laid out the lines of the church foundations.
He died full of years and honors, pastor of the Catholic church in East
Boston, Mass.

St. John's Church, — The foundation for the first church in the town
and the first in the present Springfield diocese was laid July 7, 1834, and
a frame building 32 by 62 feet was subsequently erected. During the first
year services were held in the basement, and McKillup's building on
Front street, near the viaduct, where the first masses were said, was
vacated. Masses had also been said in various sections of the town.
During the railroad construction mass was said every Sunday when the
priest could be present, on the large rocks on the little knoll near the
deep cut between the city and the lake. A rude altar was sheltered
with evergreen boughs and decorated with wild flowers. Rev. Dr.
McCoy says that even before these services by Father Fitton, there was
a service and sermon preached in the dining room of the "Old Elephant,"
a tavern near C. G. Houghton's shoe factory. Some say Bishop Fen-
wick was the preacher, others Father Fitton.

In 1835 the superstructure of the church was erected and in 1836
it was completed and free of debt. "It was erected by the Irish laborers
employed on the railroad," according to the old records. In May, 1836,
Father Fitton, who had been making monthly visits, came here as resi-
dent pastor, living first with Henry Murray's family. Afterward he
lived at Mt. St. James, and finally in a small house between the church
and the house of Patrick McKenna. At first the church was known
as Christ's Church. The services were attended by Catholics from all
surrounding towns. When the priest was not present, prayers were
read and the litanies recited. Richard Roche, Henry Murray and John
O'Sullivan were the lay readers, at what the people humorously called
"dry masses."

The Sunday school was organized by Eliza Whitney, a convert,
whose sister married Francis McKenna, United States marshal. She
was assisted by John and Robert Laverty, young lads, and there were
seven children present the first Sunday, including James Underwood and
his brothers, and William and Charles Rourke, sons of Patrick. Fifteen
attended the second Sunday. Miss Whitney was succeeded by Henry
Murray, Joseph Fitton and Catherine Reilly. The first choir was com-
posed of Mary Fitton, Patrick Sheridan and Henry Murray ; the orches-
tra, Patrick Sheridan, John Laverty, Robert Laverty, Anthony Carpen-

864 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

ter and Henry Murray. The first altar boy was James Underwood,
and the first altar society consisted of Mrs. Henry Murray and Mrs.
Richard Rourke.

In the early days came every summer a pilgrimage of Penobscot In-
dians of the Catholic faith, old friends of Father Fitton. After mass
they gathered outside the church door, kneeling in a circle until Father
Fitton came out and placed his hand on each of the bowed heads in bene-
diction. When the United States soldiers were stationed here in the
old storehouse of the canal, training for the war against the Florida In-
dians, the Catholic recruits attended mass.

Father Fitton left Worcester in 18-i3 and was succeeded by Rev. A.
Williamson. The Catholic church owes much to the energy and execu-
tive ability of Father Fitton. He not only founded the church, but in nearly
every town of the county held the first services of his denomination.
In 183-1 he began his mission in Northbridge, Westborough, Webster,
Millbury, Grafton, Blackstone, and as far as Woonsocket in the Black-
stone Valley. Before and after he came here he was at Northampton
holding services ; in 1839 he said masses at North Brookfield, Warren,
and soon afterward in Barre, Southbridge, Northborough. His succes-
sors in Worcester continued the work he began until pastors were
appointed.

Father Williamson was ill when he came, and his stay was brief.
He left early in 1845 and died of apoplexy at Baltimore, Md., April 29,
1845, bequeathing to the bishop for the benefit of this church various
church and household articles. Rev. M. W. Gibson came as resident
pastor, April 5, 1845. He was born in Hexham, Northumberland county,
England, May 15, 1817, and entered Ushaw College at the age of eleven;
came with his parents to America; studied at St. Mary's College, Em-
mittsburg, until May, 1834, completing his education for the priesthood
at the College of the Propaganda. Returning to America in 1841, he
was ordained by Bishop Kenrick of Philadelphia and assigned to Loretta,
in the Alleghany mountains. In 1844 he withdrew from the priesthood
and spent some time in the Jesuit novitiate at Frederick. He was sent
to Holy Cross College, where he was laboring when appointed pastor
here.

The great increase in the Irish population in the early forties made
it necessary to provide a larger edifice. In 1845 the old church was
moved away. About two hundred men of the church congregation dug
the cellar for the new church, Sunday May 11, 1845; the cornerstone
was laid May 27 by Rt. Rev. John B. Fitzpatrick, Coadjutor Bishop of
Boston, and the sermon preached in English and French by Rev. Nicho-
las O'Brien. The church was dedicated June 24, 1846, thirty-two clergy-
men taking part, Bishop Fitzpatrick presiding. Rev. Dr. Ryder preached
the sermon. The old church building was transformed into a parish
house. The Catholic Institute, and opened for meetings April 21, 1847.

AND ITS PEOPLE 865

The church suffered from the outbreaks of the Molly Maguires and
the Shamrocks at this time, but the firmness of the pastor, sustained by
the bishop, finally brought the disorderly members of the parish to
their senses with an apology, April 30, 184T. In ]847 the people were
called upon to aid famine-stricken Ireland and responded generously.
Hundreds of emigrants came, bringing the fever, and many died on the
way or soon after reaching America.

Father Boyce came as associate pastor Nov. 14, 1847. In the year
1848 there were 407 baptisms, and there were twelve missions attended
from Worcester — Fitchburg, Webster, Millbury, Clinton, Milford, South-
bridge, Uxbridge, Templeton, Barre, Winchendon, West Boylston and
Hopkinton,

During the fanatical Know-nothing period the Catholics bore their
share of persecution. '"'So high did the feeling run," writes Dr. McCoy,
"that the church property w^as in danger of destruction." Father Boyce
at this juncture took the keys of the church to the mayor of the city,
saying, "On your head, sir, I place the responsibility for the protection
of the church. If you do not protect it, we will ; but at the city's door
will lie the blame." The Civil War soon afterward effectually wiped
out prejudice and antagonism against the Catholics.

Father Boyce became pastor when Father Gibson left in 1856, and
remained sole pastor until his death, Jan. 2, 1864. He was succeeded
by Rev. P. T. O'Reilly, who was pastor until Sept. 25, 1870, when he
became Bishop of Springfield. Then Rev. Thomas Griffin, assistant
since July, 1867, was appointed chancellor of the new diocese and admin-
istrator of the parish of St. John's. He was made rector May 30, 1885.

The curates of St. John's have been Rev. Fathers T. A. McAvoy,
Reardon, Williamson, L'Eveque, Quaille, Noiseux, Dolan, D. O'Keefe,
Kenny, P. J. Garrigan, Robert Walsh, T. J. Conaty, McCourt, J. J.
O'Keefe, M. J. Murphy, J. L. Torpey, D. H. O'Neil, Chas. Grace, Jas.
Donahoe, J. J. McCoy, D. Higgins, P. H. Gallen, W. T. Finneran, Jas.
M. Cruse, W. C. McCaughan, T. P. McDonnell, W. H. Adrain, J. A.
O'Malley, C. M. Foley, M. S. O'Brien, O. A. Sullivan, J. A. Hurley,
Jno. F. Boland, Geo. H. McDermott, Jno. F. Boyle, Cor. F. Donoghue,
Austin D. O'Malley, Jas. W. Burke, Geo. W. (Welch?), Jas. B. Dona-
hue, Florence A. Lane, Mich. J. McKenna, Jas. P. Lynes, Wm. F. Davitt,
Chas. H. Duffy and Wm. E. O'Gorman.

The parish now controls the Catholic Institute, a brick presbytery,
the Brothers' monastery in brick, the Sisters' chapel, a fine brick school
for boys between Temple and Winter streets, and the brick school for
girls on Vernon street; also considerable land with dwelling house
fronting on Temple street, and a large cemetery in South Worcester.
The parish school for girls opened in 1872 with an attendance of 300 chil-
dren. The Christian Brothers opened the Bovs' School on Temple street
W.-I-ss.

866 HISTORY OF WORCESTER

with 240 pupils. The present attendance is about 500. The Xaverian
Fathers have had charge since 189-1. In the same building the Sisters of
Notre Dame have 162 pupils in the primary grades.

On July 16, 1911, St. John's parish .was divided and a new parish
formed in the Vernon Hill section, with Rev. James J. Farrell as pastor,
and the church to be called Church of the Ascension. Revs. John J.
O'Malley and John E. Welch, assistants.

The present rector, Rev. Thomas S. Donoghue, was appointed per-
manent rector June 21, 1911, and took office June 24th. His asssitants are
Rev. James P. Curran, appointed in 1912 ; Rev. John F. McDonnell, 1913,
and Rev. John P. Sullivan, 1916.

Right Rev. Thomas Griffin, D. D., pastor of St. John's Roman Catholic Church,
was born in Cork, Ireland, Jan. 7, 1836, died in St. Vincent's Hospital, Worcester, Dec.
14, 1910. He was educated in the best of schools in his native land. From the age of
five to fourteen he was under the instruction of the Christian Brothers. In 1852 he
came with his parents to Salem, where his father established himself in business as a
tanner and became highly prosperous. He left a large business which his sons have
continued.

Thomas was sent to St. Charles College in Baltimore, Md., on the advice of Rev.
Thomas Shahan ; afterward pursuing his theological course in St. Mary's Seminary,
Baltimore, where he was ordained June 29, 1867. In July following he was appointed
by Bishop Williams curate in St. John's parish in this city, under Rev. Patrick T.
O'Reilly, afterward Bishop. He began his duties July 12, 1867, taking charge of the
missions at Holden, Shrewsbury and Stoneville. In a few years he had established
churches in place of, these missions— St. Joseph's of Stoneville, St. Theresa of Shrews-
bury, and St. Mary's of Jefiferson.

When the diocese was created in 1870 and Father O'Reilly made Bishop, Father
Griffin was appointed pastor of St. John's, and also made Chancellor of the Diocese.
In 1872 he bought the Bigelow estate on Vernon street, now the site of Notre Dame
School and Convent, turning the mansion into a home for the Sisters of the Order of
Notre Dame, whom he called from Cincinnati to the work in this city. Later he built
the house for a parochial school for girls, and also made use of the Catholic Institute
on Temple street for school purposes. In 1891 he built for boys a school house ac-
commodating 600 pupils, the finest in the diocese at that time. In 1871 he bought land
on Prescott street and built the Church of the Immaculate Conception, of which
Rev. Robert Walsh became pastor. In 1880 he bought the lot and supervised the build-
ing of the Church of the Sacred Heart, of which his curate. Rev. T. J. Conaty, became
rector. Next he erected St. Peter's Church at the corner of Main and Grand streets,
and Father D. H. O'Neill was made its rector. His last work in building new churches
and forming new parishes was the selection of a site for St. Stephen's Church, in 1888.
He founded seven churches.

While he was in Europe in 1889 with Bishop O'Reilly, he was invested with the
title of Monsignor by Pope Leo XIII, June 30, making him a domestic prelate of the
Vatican. In the same year his o/;na ;;;a?cr conferred upon him the degree of D. D. He
was made a permanent rector of St. John's Alay 30, 1885, and at the time of his death
was the oldest permanent rector of the diocese.

His school for boys was started in a block of houses and the old Father Mathew
Temperance Society building on Temple street, opposite his church. In 1890 he
brought the Christian Brothers from Ireland as teachers for his boys school. When
the new school house was opened in 1894 it was placed in charge of the Xaverian
Brothers. It has a large assembly hall for parish gatherings.

AND ITS PEOPLE 867

He purchased eight acres on Vernon and Winthrop streets in 1893, and at first
used the mansion for offices and dormitory for the Brothers who were teaching in
the parochial school. After a home for them had been built at the corner of Temple
and Harding streets, he made plans for St. Vincent's Hospital. The first building was
at the corner of Vernon and Winthrop streets, now used for a Home for Aged People,
in charge of the Sisters of Providence. Subsequently the present hospital building
was erected. He also founded Mt. St. Joseph Industrial School at Millbury for way-
ward boys. He acquired the site for Notre Dame Normal Institute on Plantation
street, now used for the care of sick and aged members of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
He erected in 1892 the convent buildings for the Sisters of Notre Dame on Vernon
street, one of the largest and best buildings owned by that order in New England.
From time to time he purchased for the parish of St. John's real estate intended for
parish purposes, but for the present held as income-producing property rising in value.
He was shrewd and far-sighted in business. Two great events of his pastorate were
the celebrations of the golden jubilee of the original Christ Church in 1884, and of the
founding of St. John's, June 24, 1896.

An indication of the love and respect in which he was held by his parishioners and
the other people of the city was afforded by the greeting of 30,000 people, who wel-
comed him on his return from a visit to Ireland in 1909. In later years he was widely
known as the "Grand Old Man of the Springfield Diocese." For many years he pre-
sided over the most notable church gatherings, and everywhere he was honored and
esteemed. He loved his city, his country, and his native land, and helped every worthy
movement to forward the cause of Ireland. He was proud of his parochial schools,
and was honored as a pioneer in the Catholic world, as the pioneer of the parochial
school movement. He took pride also in his St. John's Cadets and St. John's Guild.
He was the first Catholic priest invited to open a session of the General Court. He
was active to the time of his death. He celebrated mass the day before he died. He
was old but rugged. Few men of his age were as strong and active. He loved his
work. He preferred to walk rather than ride, and throughout his parish he made his
way on foot on his daily errands of mercy.

He left five nephews: J. J. Griffin, of Boston, James and Martin Griffin, of Salem;
John Ryan, of Peabody; James Ryan, of Maiden; and two nieces: Mary Ryan, of this
city; and Mrs. David Kingsley, of Chelsea.

St. Anne's Church. — After the French-Canadians failed in an attempt
to erect a church for French-Catholics, 1852-5-4, the funds were passed
over to the pastor of St. John's, Father Gibson, who decided that another
church was needed, though his associate disagreed. In 1855 Father
Gibson began to build St. Anne's Church, on Shrewsbury street, at an
estimated cost of $6,500. In about a year he collected $1,383.81, not
including about $200 that he advanced. In 1856 he left the city and the
mortgagee foreclosed, buying the property for $725.

Rev. John J. Boyce succeeded Father Gibson, but he could not
give his personal attention to the parish, and besides he was no financier
or business man. He urged upon the bishop the urgent necessity of
appointing some priest who would be equal to the task of extricating the
parish from its difficulties and he appointed Rev. J. J. Power pastor,
Aug. 7, 1856.

Rev. John J. Power was appointed rector Aug., 1856, but he had no
church. For $1,000 he redeemed the property; paid other debts; com-
])leted the building, and it was dedicated Christmas Day, 1856 ; Rev.

HISTORY OF WORCESTER

James A. Healy preached the sermon